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What is Ultram?
ULTRAM is a prescription-only pain medicine intended for people who have moderate to moderately severe chronic pain.
How does Ultram work?
ULTRAM helps your body's system relieve pain in two important ways. Laboratory studies suggest that first, ULTRAM acts directly on parts of the brain and spinal cord to reduce the amount of pain. Second, it reduces the size of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another. ULTRAM works differently from an NSAID (which stands for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and is pronounced "EN-sayd"), such as ibuprofen. ULTRAM is also different from other pain medications, such as codeine or morphine. While the mode of action of ULTRAM is not completely understood, laboratory studies suggest that at least two complementary mechanisms appear applicable: binding of parent and M1 metabolite to opioid receptors and weak inhibition of the re-uptake of norephinephrine and serotonin.
Are there any side effects?
All medicines, including ULTRAM, can cause side effects. People who experienced side effects with ULTRAM in medical studies usually did so at the beginning of treatment. The most frequently reported side effects experienced with ULTRAM were constipation, nausea, dizziness, headache, somnolence, and vomiting. Patients should talk to their doctors about any side effects they experience while taking ULTRAM.
ULTRAM may impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.
Seizures have been reported in patients taking ULTRAM. The risk of seizures is increased with doses of ULTRAM above the recommended range. You should not take more than 400 mg of ULTRAM (eight 50 mg tablets) per day.
ULTRAM increases the risk of seizures in patients taking certain medications for other medical conditions (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, or opioids). ULTRAM may enhance the seizure risk in patients taking MAO inhibitors, neuroleptics, or other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold or in patients with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in patients with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections).
Patients with a history of severe, life-threatening allergic (anaphylactoid) reactions to codeine and other opioids may be at increased risk and therefore should not receive ULTRAM.
How should I use Ultram?
You will get the best pain relief by following your doctor's instructions and taking ULTRAM as it was prescribed for you. ULTRAM may be taken with or without food. You may find it easiest to take your ULTRAM tablets at the same times every day. In any case, you should not take more than the dose prescribed, and you should never take more than 2 tablets in a 4-hour period. Talk with your doctor and pharmacist about all of the medicines you are currently taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine. And report any unusual developments or problems that may appear.
What about drug interactions?
There are certain medications that should be used with caution while taking ULTRAM. These other medications include tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and opioid pain medicines. Be sure to talk with your doctor about all other medicines you are taking before starting your prescription for ULTRAM.
Are there any other precautions when using Ultram?
Cases of abuse and dependence on ULTRAM have been reported. ULTRAM should not be used in opioid-dependent patients. Since ULTRAM can reinitiate physical dependence, it is not recommended for patients with a tendency to drug abuse, a history of drug dependence, or chronically using opioids.
Additionally, anyone who has had an allergic-type reaction to either ULTRAM or any product containing an opioid medicine (like TylenolŪ* with Codeine) should not take ULTRAM.
Talk with your doctor if you may be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant, before using ULTRAM or any other medicine. Safe use during pregnancy has not been established.
As with all prescription medicines, you should not share your ULTRAM tablets with anyone else. Also, you should not take medicines that have not been prescribed specifically for you.
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