Ultram ER
Generic name: tramadol [ TRAM-a-dol ]
Brand names: ConZip, Qdolo, TraMADol Hydrochloride ER (Eqv-Ryzolt), TraMADol Hydrochloride ER (Eqv-Ultram ER), Ultram, Ultram ER
Drug class: Opioids (narcotic analgesics)
The Ultram ER brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.
What is Ultram ER?
Ultram ER is used to treat moderate to severe pain.
The extended-release form of tramadol is for around-the-clock treatment of severe pain and follows a daily dosing schedule. This form of tramadol is not for use on an as-needed basis.
Ultram ER may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
Ultram ER side effects
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Ultram ER can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur, especially if you drink alcohol or use other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow breathing. A person caring for you should give naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.
Ultram ER may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:
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headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery;
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increased sensitivity to pain or if your pain gets worse;
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seizure (convulsions), confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady;
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noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep, a slow heart rate or weak pulse, a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out; or
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low cortisol levels--nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.
Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and people who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.
Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
Common side effects of Ultram ER may include:
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itching, constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain; or
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dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness, headache.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Warnings
MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep Ultram ER where others cannot get to it.
Fatal side effects may occur if you use also use alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow breathing.
Before taking this medicine
You should not take Ultram ER if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
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severe asthma or breathing problems, a stomach or bowel obstruction (including paralytic ileus);
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if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic medications; or
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if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.
Ultram ER should not be given to a child younger than 12 years old. Ultram ER should not be given to anyone younger than 18 years old. Do not give this medicine to anyone between 12 and 18 years old who have a risk of breathing problems such as obstructive sleep apnea, obesity, or lung problems.
Do not give Ultram ER to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.
Seizures have occurred in some people taking Ultram ER. Your seizure risk may be higher if you have ever had:
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depression, a mental illness, head injury, epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
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an opioid overdose, or a drug or alcohol addiction; or
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a metabolic disorder.
Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had:
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urination, gallbladder, pancreas, or thyroid problems;
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a stomach disorder;
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breathing problems, sleep apnea, mental illness, or suicide attempt; or
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liver or kidney disease.
May harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you use Ultram ER during pregnancy, your baby could be born with life-threatening withdrawal symptoms, and may need medical treatment for several weeks.
Do not breastfeed. Ultram ER in breast milk can cause life-threatening side effects in a nursing baby.
Long-term Ultram ER may affect fertility in men or women. Pregnancy could be harder to achieve while either parent is using this medicine.
How should I take Ultram ER?
Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use Ultram ER in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of Ultram ER.
Never share Ultram ER with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.
Do not change your dose or stop using Ultram ER without your doctor's advice. Ask a doctor before using any other opioid medications to treat or manage pain.
Ultram ER can be taken with or without food, but take it the same way each time.
Swallow the capsule or tablet whole to avoid exposure to a potentially fatal overdose. Do not crush, chew, break, open, or dissolve.
Measure liquid medicine with the supplied measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).
Never crush or break a Ultram ER pill to inhale the powder or mix it into a liquid to inject the drug into your vein. This practice has resulted in death.
You may have withdrawal symptoms if you stop using Ultram ER suddenly. Ask your doctor before stopping the medicine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep your medicine in a place where no one can use it improperly.
Do not keep leftover medicine. Just one dose can cause death in someone using it accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. You may also mix the leftover medicine with cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag and throw the bag in the trash.
Related/similar drugs
acetaminophen, gabapentin, tramadol, cyclobenzaprine, naproxen, oxycodone, Tylenol
What happens if I miss a dose?
Since Ultram ER is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using Ultram ER without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.
Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone if you stop breathing or don't wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.
Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.
What should I avoid while taking Ultram ER?
Do not drink alcohol or any products that contain alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.
Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries. Also avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
What other drugs will affect Ultram ER?
You may have breathing problems or withdrawal symptoms if you start or stop taking certain other medicines. Tell your doctor if you also use an antibiotic, antifungal medication, heart or blood pressure medication, seizure medication, or medicine to treat HIV or hepatitis C.
Many other drugs can be dangerous when used with Ultram ER. Tell your doctor if you also use:
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medicine for allergies, asthma, blood pressure, motion sickness, irritable bowel, or overactive bladder;
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a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax;
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other opioid medicines, sleep medicine, muscle relaxers, or other drugs that make you drowsy; or
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drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicine for migraines or Parkinson's disease.
This list is not complete. Many other drugs may affect Ultram ER. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Popular FAQ
Can you take ibuprofen 800 mg with tramadol 50 mg?
Yes, you can take these medications together. Tramadol is safe to take with ibuprofen and may be used to provide additional pain relief. But be aware 800mg ibuprofen is a high dose of ibuprofen that may cause gastrointestinal side effects such as abdominal pain or reflux if taken long term. Continue reading
Is tramadol an opioid?
Yes, tramadol is an opioid pain-relieving medicine but it also has nonopioid effects. It differs from other opioids in that it is a prodrug and requires metabolism in the body before it is active. Continue reading
How do genetics affect tramadol?
Pain-relieving and side effects of tramadol are greatly affected by a person’s genetics, particularly their capacity for tramadol metabolism through a liver enzyme system called cytochrome P450 2D6. Continue reading
Can you take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin?
Yes, it is safe for most people to take tramadol with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin if they are old enough (aspirin is not recommended for children less than 16 years and tramadol should not be taken by children under the age of 12). Continue reading
How much tramadol should I give my dog?
How much tramadol you give your dog depends on the size of your dog. Smaller dogs do not need as much tramadol as larger dogs need to relieve pain. If you give too much tramadol your dog is likely to have more severe side effects. The tramadol dosage for dogs is usually between 0.45 to 1.8 mg per pound of body weight (1mg to 5 mg/kg). The frequency varies depending on what you are giving it for. For general pain, it is given every 8 to 12 hours, but for cancer-related pain, it can be administered every 6 hours. Continue reading
How long does tramadol withdrawal last?
Symptoms of tramadol withdrawal can start 8-24 hours after the last dose. Untreated, withdrawal symptoms usually last for 4-10 days. Withdrawal is caused by stopping the drug suddenly. Continue reading
Is tramadol stronger than codeine?
Both tramadol and codeine are prescription opioid painkillers, and they seem to be equally effective in terms of pain relief. There is no evidence that tramadol is any stronger than codeine at relieving pain. Continue reading
How long does it take for tramadol to start working?
Tramadol generally starts to relieve pain within an hour in its fast-acting forms, which are used for short-term pain management. With slow-release or extended-release (ER) forms, the drug may take longer to start because it’s gradually released over 12 or 24 hours, but pain relief lasts longer. Continue reading
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Further information
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.
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