Tramadol/Acetaminophen (By Mouth)

Acetaminophen (a-seet-a-MIN-oh-fen), Tramadol (TRA-ma-dole)

Treats short-term, medium to medium-severe pain.

Brand Name(s):

Ultracet
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 acetaminophen, tramadol, or other narcotic pain medicines such as codeine, MS Contin®, OxyContin®, Percocet®, Vicodin®. 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/acetaminophen.

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.This medicine is not for long-term use.
• It is not safe to use more than 4 grams (4,000 milligrams) of acetaminophen in one day (24 hours).

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• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.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 (Lanoxin®), cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril®), promethazine (Phenergan®), a blood thinner (Coumadin®), an MAO inhibitor (Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), medicine for depression (such as amitriptyline, imipramine, Effexor®, Luvox®, Paxil®, Prozac®, Serzone®, Zoloft®), medicine for mental illness (such as clozapine, olanzapine, risperidone, Clozaril®, Risperdal®, Zyprexa®), or medicine for seizures (such as Dilantin®, Tegretol®).
• 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 also use other medicines that contain tramadol (Ultram®) or acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Many combination medicines contain acetaminophen. Some medicines that might contain acetaminophen are Alka-Seltzer®, Comtrex®, Excedrin Migraine®, Midol®, Sinutab®, Sudafed®, Theraflu®, and Vanquish®. Carefully check the labels of all other medicines you are using to be sure they do not contain acetaminophen.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine. Acetaminophen can damage your liver. Drinking alcohol can increase this risk. If you regularly drink 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day, do not take acetaminophen without asking your doctor.

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, ulcers or other digestive problems, breathing 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
• Nausea, vomiting, sweating, clammy skin, loss of appetite, paleness, unusual tiredness or weakness
• Seizures
• Severe sleepiness and shallow or troubled breathing
• Yellow skin or eyes, dark-colored urine or pale stools

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

• Constipation, diarrhea, stomach pain, dry mouth
• Sweating

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.