Ultracet online

Item name:

Ultracet (acetaminophen and tramadol) (Ortho McNeil Pharm)

Generic name:

acetaminophen and tramadol

Brand names:

Ultracet

Item info:

Acetaminophen and tramadol are both pain relievers. The exact way that acetaminophen and tramadol works is unknown. Acetaminophen and tramadol is used for the short-term (5 days or less) management of pain.

Drug class:

Acetaminophen and tramadol are analgesics.

Interactions:

Seizures have been reported as a rare side effect of treatment with acetaminophen and tramadol. The risk of seizures may be increased in patients who take more than the prescribed dose, have a history of seizures or epilepsy, have head trauma, have a metabolic disorder, have a central nervous system infection, are experiencing alcohol or drug withdrawal, or are taking certain medications.

Talk to your doctor about factors that may increase the risk of seizures during treatment.

Do not drink alcohol while taking acetaminophen and tramadol. Alcohol may cause a dangerous decrease in breathing and/ or liver problems when used during treatment with acetaminophen and tramadol. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities.

Acetaminophen and tramadol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. If the pain is not being controlled, talk to your doctor. Taking more than the prescribed amount of this medication could result in seizures or decreased breathing.

Do not take other prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol, pain relievers, cold and flu medicines, others) during treatment with acetaminophen and tramadol. Taking too much acetaminophen may be harmful.

• Acetaminophen and tramadol may increase the risk of seizures especially in patients who have epilepsy or another seizure disorder. Also, acetaminophen and tramadol may increase the risk of seizures if you are taking any of the following drugs:
• a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), and others;
• a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);
• an antipsychotic medication such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), loxapine (Loxitane), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), thiothixene (Navane), and others;
• a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or citalopram (Celexa);
• a narcotic pain reliever such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab, others), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, RMS, Roxanol, others), oxycodone (Roxicodone, Percocet, Percodan, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet, others), and others;
• promethazine (Phenergan) or prochlorperazine (Compazine); · bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban); or
• cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril).

Do not take acetaminophen and tramadol without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Before taking acetaminophen and tramadol, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• carbamazepine (Tegretol);
• quinidine (Quinaglute Dura-Tabs, Cardioquin, Quinora, others);
• warfarin (Coumadin); or
• digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps).

You may not be able to take acetaminophen and tramadol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Do not take other prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol, pain relievers, cold and flu medicines, others) during treatment with acetaminophen and tramadol. 

Avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. Acetaminophen and tramadol may cause drowsiness and these agents may worsen this effect.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with acetaminophen and tramadol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Side effects:

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking acetaminophen and tramadol and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

•  an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or 
•  seizures.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take acetaminophen and tramadol and talk to your doctor if you experience:

• dizziness, drowsiness, or headache;
• nervousness, tremor, or anxiety;
• nausea, constipation, or diarrhea; or
• itching, dry mouth, or sweating.

The tramadol component of acetaminophen and tramadol may be habit forming. Physical and/ or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

Prescription needed / OTC:

Rx only

Dosage:

Take acetaminophen and tramadol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water. Acetaminophen and tramadol can be taken with or without food.

For the short-term treatment of pain, the usual dose is 2 tablets taken every 4 to 6 hours, up to eight tablets per day.

People over 65 years of age and those with other medical conditions such as seizures or epilepsy, liver disease, kidney disease, and others may need lower daily doses. Follow your doctor's directions. Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. If the pain is not being controlled, talk to your doctor. Taking more than the prescribed amount of this medication could result in seizures or decreased breathing.

Contraindications:

Seizures have been reported as a rare side effect of treatment with acetaminophen and tramadol. The risk of seizures may be increased in patients who have any of the conditions or are taking any of the medications listed below:

Do not take acetaminophen and tramadol without first talking to your doctor if you:

•   have a history of seizures or epilepsy; 
•  have a head injury; 
•  have a metabolic disorder; 
•  have a central nervous system infection; 
•  are experiencing alcohol or drug withdrawal; 
•  are taking a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), imipramine (Tofranil), clomipramine (Anafranil), and others; 
•  are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate); 
•  are taking a psychiatric medication such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), haloperidol (Haldol), loxapine (Loxitane), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), thioridazine (Mellaril), thiothixene (Navane), and others; 
•  are taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) such as fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), or citalopram (Celexa); 
•  are taking a narcotic pain reliever such as codeine, fentanyl (Duragesic), hydromorphone (Dilaudid), meperidine (Demerol), hydrocodone (Vicodin, Lorcet, Lortab, others), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, RMS, Roxanol, others), oxycodone (Roxicodone, Percocet, Percodan, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet, others), and others; 
•  are taking promethazine (Phenergan) or prochlorperazine (Compazine); 
•  are taking sibutramine (Meridia); 
•  are taking bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban); or 
•  are taking cyclobenzaprine (Flexeril).

Before taking acetaminophen and tramadol, tell your doctor if you have:

•   kidney disease; 
•  liver disease; or 
•  a history of alcohol or drug dependence.

You may not be able to take acetaminophen and tramadol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Acetaminophen and tramadol is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Acetaminophen and tramadol passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take acetaminophen and tramadol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 65 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from acetaminophen and tramadol. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment.

Storage:

Store acetaminophen and tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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