Tramadol (By Mouth)

Tramadol (TRA-ma-dole)

Treats medium to medium-severe pain.

Brand Name(s):

Ultram, Tramadol HCl
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to tramadol or other narcotic pain medicines such as codeine, MS Continreg;, OxyContinreg;, Percocetreg;, Vicodinreg;. In some situations, you should not use this medicine if you are also using alcohol, street drugs, sedatives, medicines for depression or mental illness, or other pain medicines. If you are using any of these, ask your doctor if you can still use tramadol.

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet

 
• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.

If a dose is missed:

 
• If you are taking this medicine on a regular schedule and you miss a dose or forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

 
• Store the medicine at room temperature in a closed container, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.  
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.  
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

 
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using digoxin (Lanoxinreg;), cyclobenzaprine (Flexerilreg;), promethazine (Phenerganreg;), a blood thinner (Coumadinreg;), an MAO inhibitor (Eldeprylreg;, Marplanreg;, Nardilreg;, Parnatereg;), medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, Effexorreg;, Luvoxreg;, Paxilreg;, Prozacreg;, Serzonereg;, Zoloftreg;), medicine for mental illness (such as clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, Clozarilreg;, Risperdalreg;, Zyprexareg;), or medicine for seizures (such as Dilantinreg;, Tegretolreg;).  
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.  
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

 
• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have epilepsy, kidney disease, liver disease, breathing problems, ulcers or other digestive problems, or problems with the amounts of potassium or sodium in your blood. Tell your doctor if you have a history of Head injury, seizures, or drug or alcohol dependence.  
• This medicine may be habit-forming. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor for instructions.  
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.  
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.  
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

 
• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.  
• Blistering, peeling, red skin rash  
• Seizures  
• Severe sleepiness and shallow or troubled breathing

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

 
• Dry mouth  
• Feeling nervous, anxious, shaky, or unusually happy  
• Headache  
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea  
• Sweating, mild itching

Drugs & Medications

CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.

The drug reference included in this section is provided by Cerner Multum, Inc., of Denver, Colorado. Armenian Medical Network receives monthly updates from Multum.