Ultram
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Updated April 28, 2015.
Ultram is the brand name for a pain killer generically named tramadol. Tramadol (or Ultram) is used to treat moderate to severe pain, including neck and back related nerve pain, in adults who need such medication around the clock pain for long periods of time. Back pain is the number 1 reason why people turn to Ultram. (Arthritis pain is the number 2 reason.)
Related: Breakthrough Pain
Ultram is an opioid, which means it comes with a risk for addiction.
However, a 1997 study published in the journal Drugs reported that tramadol contains certain properties that “are highly unlikely to lead to dependence.” The study authors went on to say that this statement was later confirmed by various other studies that reported very small number of patients who developed tolerance or abuse instances.
The same study, as well as others, assert that tramadol is well tolerated by many people.
Along with its opioid categorization, tramadol is also classified as an analgesic drug. Other brand names for tramadol include: Ryzolt and ConZip.
Ultram produces pain relief by acting on your central nervous in a number of ways. For this and other reasons, you should be careful about if, how and with what other drugs you take this medication.
If you receive monoamine oxidase inhibitors, you should not take Ultram. The same may be true if you are already taking tricyclic antidepressants. Before taking Ultram, tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.
As with any medication, it's very important to speak with your prescribing doctor about the allergies you may have, especially allergies to drugs. By the same token, if, in addition to your chronic back pain, you have other medical conditions, you must discuss these with your doctor prior to taking Ultram.
It is imperative that you take Ultram exactly as it is prescribed. Don't crush the pill and do follow the directions on the package to the letter. And definitely don't take Ultram with alcohol. Taking too much Ultram may result in seizures, which is a very serious medical issue. It may also make you drowsy, so don't drive or operate heavy machinery while under its influence.
If you find you have concerns, questions, doubts or problems about anything related to taking Ultram, call your doctor immediately. If your doctor is not available, speak with your pharmacist. In some cases, a trip to the emergency room is the best course of action you can take – see the list below for when that's appropriate.
Related:What is a Drug Interaction?
The list of possible side effects that may result from taking Ultram is long – too long, in fact, to include all of them here. Some of these side effects are more life threatening than others. If you have any of the symptoms on the following list, or you otherwise experience intense symptoms, see your doctor or get to the emergency room ASAP – doing so may save your life or health.
The following is a list of the more common - and compared to the items above, less threatening - side effects known to potentially result from taking Ultram. If you experience any of the symptoms on this list, consult with your doctor as soon as you can.
If you are pregnant and are considering Ultram for managing your back or neck pain, be forewarned that you may do damage to your unborn child by taking this drug. Ultram is rated as a Category C which means that although it has not been well studied in pregnant women, the drug appears to cause harm to their fetuses.
So how effective is Utram? A 2013 review of medical studies that was produced by the Cochrane Library found that tramadol was better than nothing (“nothing” is represented by “placebo”) for pain and functioning. However, the studies they looked at for pain relief were judged to be of low quality, while the studies for functioning were of moderate quality according to the Cochrane reviewers.
Ultram may be an appropriate pain medication when stronger opioids are not needed. But let me leave you with a question: How strong to you really need your pain relieving medicine to be? Other options for reducing pain and increasing functioning exist, from NSAIDs, to physical therapy and even over the counter drugs.
Sources:
Bertin P, Becquemont L, Corruble E, Derumeaux G, Falissard B, Hanon O, Pinget M, Forette F. J Nutr Health Aging. 2013;17(8):681-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24097022
Chaparro LE, Furlan AD, Deshpande A, Mailis-Gagnon A, Atlas S, Turk DC. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 27 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23983011
Chung JW, Zeng Y, Wong TK. Pain Physician. 2013 Nov-Dec;16(6):E685-704. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24284847
Dayer P, Desmeules J, Collart L. Pharmacology of tramadol. Drugs. 1997;53 Suppl 2:18-24. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9190321
Grond S, Sablotzki A. Clinical pharmacology of tramadol. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2004;43(13):879-923 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15509185
http://www.rxlist.com/ultram-drug.htm
Wewalka M, Abdelrahimsai A, Wiesinger GF, Uher EM. CT-guided transforaminal epidural injections with local anesthetic, steroid, and tramadol for the treatment of persistent lumbar radicular pain. Pain Physician. 2012 Mar-Apr;15(2):153-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=wewalka+opioid
Yokotsuka S, Kato J.Masui. 2013 Jul;62(7):791-8. Japanese. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23905401
Updated April 28, 2015.
Ultram is the brand name for a pain killer generically named tramadol. Tramadol (or Ultram) is used to treat moderate to severe pain, including neck and back related nerve pain, in adults who need such medication around the clock pain for long periods of time. Back pain is the number 1 reason why people turn to Ultram. (Arthritis pain is the number 2 reason.)
Related: Breakthrough Pain
Ultram is an opioid, which means it comes with a risk for addiction.
However, a 1997 study published in the journal Drugs reported that tramadol contains certain properties that “are highly unlikely to lead to dependence.” The study authors went on to say that this statement was later confirmed by various other studies that reported very small number of patients who developed tolerance or abuse instances.
The same study, as well as others, assert that tramadol is well tolerated by many people.
Along with its opioid categorization, tramadol is also classified as an analgesic drug. Other brand names for tramadol include: Ryzolt and ConZip.
Ultram produces pain relief by acting on your central nervous in a number of ways. For this and other reasons, you should be careful about if, how and with what other drugs you take this medication.
Ultram Precautions
If you receive monoamine oxidase inhibitors, you should not take Ultram. The same may be true if you are already taking tricyclic antidepressants. Before taking Ultram, tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you take.
As with any medication, it's very important to speak with your prescribing doctor about the allergies you may have, especially allergies to drugs. By the same token, if, in addition to your chronic back pain, you have other medical conditions, you must discuss these with your doctor prior to taking Ultram.
It is imperative that you take Ultram exactly as it is prescribed. Don't crush the pill and do follow the directions on the package to the letter. And definitely don't take Ultram with alcohol. Taking too much Ultram may result in seizures, which is a very serious medical issue. It may also make you drowsy, so don't drive or operate heavy machinery while under its influence.
If you find you have concerns, questions, doubts or problems about anything related to taking Ultram, call your doctor immediately. If your doctor is not available, speak with your pharmacist. In some cases, a trip to the emergency room is the best course of action you can take – see the list below for when that's appropriate.
Related:What is a Drug Interaction?
Ultram Side Effects
The list of possible side effects that may result from taking Ultram is long – too long, in fact, to include all of them here. Some of these side effects are more life threatening than others. If you have any of the symptoms on the following list, or you otherwise experience intense symptoms, see your doctor or get to the emergency room ASAP – doing so may save your life or health.
- Convulsions or seizures
- Weak or shallow breathing
- Agitation
- Hallucinations
- Fever
- Fast heart rate
- Overactive reflexes
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Loss of coordination
- Fainting
- Severe skin reaction, which may include one or more of the following: sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain, followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.
The following is a list of the more common - and compared to the items above, less threatening - side effects known to potentially result from taking Ultram. If you experience any of the symptoms on this list, consult with your doctor as soon as you can.
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Tired feeling
- Gastrointestinal issues including one or more of the following: constipation, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
- Anxiety or feeling nervous.
- Itching, with sweating, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).
If you are pregnant and are considering Ultram for managing your back or neck pain, be forewarned that you may do damage to your unborn child by taking this drug. Ultram is rated as a Category C which means that although it has not been well studied in pregnant women, the drug appears to cause harm to their fetuses.
Does Ultram Work?
So how effective is Utram? A 2013 review of medical studies that was produced by the Cochrane Library found that tramadol was better than nothing (“nothing” is represented by “placebo”) for pain and functioning. However, the studies they looked at for pain relief were judged to be of low quality, while the studies for functioning were of moderate quality according to the Cochrane reviewers.
Ultram may be an appropriate pain medication when stronger opioids are not needed. But let me leave you with a question: How strong to you really need your pain relieving medicine to be? Other options for reducing pain and increasing functioning exist, from NSAIDs, to physical therapy and even over the counter drugs.
Sources:
Bertin P, Becquemont L, Corruble E, Derumeaux G, Falissard B, Hanon O, Pinget M, Forette F. J Nutr Health Aging. 2013;17(8):681-6. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24097022
Chaparro LE, Furlan AD, Deshpande A, Mailis-Gagnon A, Atlas S, Turk DC. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Aug 27 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23983011
Chung JW, Zeng Y, Wong TK. Pain Physician. 2013 Nov-Dec;16(6):E685-704. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24284847
Dayer P, Desmeules J, Collart L. Pharmacology of tramadol. Drugs. 1997;53 Suppl 2:18-24. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9190321
Grond S, Sablotzki A. Clinical pharmacology of tramadol. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2004;43(13):879-923 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15509185
http://www.rxlist.com/ultram-drug.htm
Wewalka M, Abdelrahimsai A, Wiesinger GF, Uher EM. CT-guided transforaminal epidural injections with local anesthetic, steroid, and tramadol for the treatment of persistent lumbar radicular pain. Pain Physician. 2012 Mar-Apr;15(2):153-9. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/?term=wewalka+opioid
Yokotsuka S, Kato J.Masui. 2013 Jul;62(7):791-8. Japanese. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23905401
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