Celebrex vs. Ultram

Are Celebrex and Ultram the Same Thing?

Celebrex (celecoxib) and Ultram (tramadol) are used to relieve pain.

Celebrex is also used to treat fever, swelling, and tenderness caused by arthritis. Celebrex is also used for familial FAP, acute pain, and menstrual cramps.

Celebrex and Ultram belong to different drug classes. Celebrex is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) and Ultram is a narcotic analgesic (pain reliever).

Side effects of Celebrex and Ultram that are similar include headache, diarrhea, nausea, upset stomach, dizziness, nervousness, and skin rash.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Celebrex?

Celebrex may cause serious side effects, including:

Celebrex may cause serious stomach and intestinal ulcers.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Ultram?

Common side effects of Ultram include:

  • agitation,
  • nervousness,
  • anxiety,
  • seizures (convulsions),
  • skin rash,
  • dizziness,
  • spinning sensation,
  • hallucinations,
  • fever,
  • fast heart rate,
  • overactive reflexes,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • upset stomach,
  • diarrhea,
  • constipation,
  • loss of coordination,
  • headache,
  • drowsiness, and
  • fainting.

What Is Celebrex?

Celebrex used to treat pain and redness, swelling, and heat (inflammation) from medical conditions such as different types of arthritis, menstrual cramps, and other types of short-term pain.

What Is Ultram?

Ultram is a strong prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid (narcotic) that is used for the management pain in adults, when other pain treatments such as non-opioid pain medicines do not treat your pain well enough or you cannot tolerate them. Ultram is an opioid pain medicine that can put you at risk for overdose and death. Even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed you are at risk for opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse that can lead to death

SLIDESHOW

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What Drugs Interact With Celebrex?

Do not take Celebrex:

What Drugs Interact With Ultram?

Do not take Ultram right before or after a heart surgery called a "coronary artery bypass graft (CABG)."

Avoid taking Ultram after a recent heart attack, unless your healthcare provider tells you to. You may have an increased risk of another heart attack if you take NSAIDs after a recent heart attack.

What Drugs Interact With Ultram?

Ultram is contraindicated in patients receiving MAO inhibitors or who have used them within the previous 14 days.

How Should Celebrex Be Taken?

Carefully consider the potential benefits and risks of Celebrex and other treatment options before deciding to use Celebrex. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

How Should Ultram Be Taken?

Do not change your dose. Take Ultram exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Use the lowest dose possible for the shortest time needed.

Take your prescribed dose as indicated by your health care provider. The maximum dosage is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, as needed for pain relief. Do not take more than your prescribed dose and do not take more than 8 tablets per day. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time.

Call your healthcare provider if the dose you are taking does not control your pain.

If you have been taking Ultram regularly, do not stop taking Ultram without talking to your healthcare provider.

After you stop taking Ultram, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of any unused tablets.

QUESTION

The term arthritis refers to stiffness in the joints. See Answer
Disclaimer

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References

Pfizer. Celebrex Product Information.
https://www.celebrex.com/
Janssen. Ultram Product Monograph.
https://www.janssen.com

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