Ultracet (Tramadol) Drug Information: Description, User Reviews, Drug Side Effects, Interactions

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February 3, 2012

Ultracet

Chronic Pain »

Introduction to Chronic Pain

You know it at once. It may be the fiery sensation of a burn moments after your finger touches the stove. Or it's a dull ache above your brow after a day of stress and tension. Or you may recognize it as a sharp pierce in your back after you lift something heavy.

It is pain. In its most benign form, it warns us that something isn't quite right, that we should take medicine or see a doctor. At its worst, however, pain robs us of our productivity, our well-being, and, for many of us suffering from extended illness, our very lives. Pain is a complex perception that differs enormously among individual patients, even those who appear to have identical injuries or illnesses.

In 1931, the French medical missionary Dr. Albert Schweitzer wrote, "Pain is a more terrible lord of mankind than even death itself." Today, pain has become the universal disorder, a serious and costly public health issue, and a challenge for famil...

Read the Chronic Pain article »

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ULTRACET®
(tramadol hydrochloride/acetaminophen) Tablets

HEPATOTOXICITY

ULTRACET® contains tramadol HCl and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4,000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product (see WARNINGS).

DRUG DESCRIPTION

ULTRACET® (tramadol hydrochloride/acetaminophen) Tablets combines two analgesics, tramadol 37.5 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg.

The chemical name for tramadol hydrochloride is (± )cis-2-[(dimethylamino)methyl]1-(3-methoxyphenyl) cyclohexanol hydrochloride. Its structural formula is:

Tramadol hydrochloride Structural Formula Illustration

The molecular weight of tramadol hydrochloride is 299.84. Tramadol hydrochloride is a white, bitter, crystalline, and odorless powder.

The chemical name for acetaminophen is N-acetyl-p-aminophenol. Its structural formula is:

Acetaminophen Structural Formula Illustration

The molecular weight of acetaminophen is 151.17. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic agent which occurs as a white, odorless, crystalline powder, possessing a slightly bitter taste.

ULTRACET® tablets contain 37.5 mg tramadol hydrochloride and 325 mg acetaminophen and are light yellow in color. Inactive ingredients in the tablet are powdered cellulose, pregelatinized corn starch, sodium starch glycolate, corn starch, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, polysorbate 80, titanium dioxide, iron oxide, and carnauba wax.

What are the possible side effects of acetaminophen and tramadol (Ultracet)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using acetaminophen and tramadol and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

seizure (convulsions);
a red, blistering, peeling skin rash; or
shallow breathing, weak pulse.

Less serious side effects may include:

dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;

Read All Potential Side Effects and See Pictures of Ultracet »

What are the precautions when taking tramadol (Ultracet)?

Before taking this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to tramadol or acetaminophen; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: brain disorders (such as head injury, tumor, seizures), breathing problems (such as asthma, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), kidney disease, liver disease, mental/mood disorders (such as confusion, depression, suicidal thoughts), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol, stomach/intestinal problems (such as blockage, constipation, diarrhea due to...

Read All Potential Precautions of Ultracet »

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/5/2011
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.