Tramadol/Acetaminophen (By mouth)
TRAM-a-dol hye-droe-KLOR-ide, a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen
Relieves pain.
Drug classes
Analgesic Combination (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Tramadol and acetaminophen combination is used to relieve pain. When used together, the combination provides better pain relief than either medicine used alone. In some cases, you may get relief with lower doses of each medicine.
Tramadol belongs to the group of medicines called opioid analgesics (narcotics). It acts in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. When tramadol is used for a long time, it may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). Physical dependence may lead to side effects when you stop taking the medicine. Since this medicine is only used for the short-term relief of pain, physical dependence will probably not occur.
Acetaminophen is used to relieve pain and reduce fever in patients. It does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time. But acetaminophen may cause other unwanted effects when taken in large doses, including liver damage. Although rare, use of acetaminophen has been reported to lead to liver transplantation and death, usually at high doses and when multiple acetaminophen-containing products have been used.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
This medicine is not for long-term use.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
This combination medicine contains acetaminophen. Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using because they may also contain acetaminophen. It is not safe to take more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day (24 hours).
Some foods and medicines can affect how tramadol/acetaminophen works. Tell your doctor if you are using St John’s wort, carbamazepine, cyclobenzaprine, digoxin, lithium, promethazine, an MAO inhibitor, medicine for depression, medicine for migraine headaches, or a blood thinner (such as warfarin).
Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.
Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Acetaminophen can damage your liver, and alcohol can increase this risk.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use if you had an allergic reaction to acetaminophen, tramadol, or other narcotic pain medicines.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, breathing problems, depression, or mental illness. Tell your doctor if you have a history of head injury or seizures, or if you have been addicted to drugs or alcohol.
This medicine may cause the following problems:
Liver damage High risk of overdose Serotonin syndromeThis medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.
This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
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
Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Dark urine or pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, stomach pain, yellow skin or eyes
Extreme dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeat or breathing, seizures, and cold, clammy skin
Seizures
Trouble breathing
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Constipation
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Tramacet, Ultracet
There may be other brand names for this medicine.