Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives AS Pharmacy Ultracet

Ultracet contains multiple drug ingredients including tramadol hydrochloride and acetominophen.

BRAND NAMES

Ultracet (US)

DRUG CLASS

Tramadol is an opiate agonist. Acetominophen is an analgesic and anti-pyretic.

USES

Ultracet is indicated in the short term use of acute pain.

MECHANISM OF ACTION

Acetominophen

Please see acetaminophen discussion posted under Percocet.

Tramadol

Tramadol hydrochloride is a synthetic, centrally active analgesic. The drug (and its active M1 metabolite) acts as an opiate agonist, apparently by selective activity at the µ-receptor. In addition to opiate agonist activity, tramadol inhibits reuptake of certain monoamines (norepinephrine, serotonin), which appears to contribute to the drug’s analgesic effect.

CONTRAINDICATIONS

Significant - SSRIs, previous hypersensitivity to opioid agonists or acetaminophen, alcohol intoxication, drug abuse, opioid drug dependence, respiratory depression, acute hepatitis, chronic hepatic disease, hepatic failure, renal impairment, seizures (increased risk with concurrent SSRI/tricyclic compounds and other opioid agonists).

Possibly Significant - Acute abdominal conditions, head injury, increased intracranial pressure.

SPECIAL CONCERNS

Safe use of tramadol in pregnancy has not been established. Tramadol should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefits justify the possible risks to the fetus. Tramadol also should not be used in pregnant women prior to or during labor unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Chronic use during pregnancy may lead to physical dependence and postpartum withdrawal symptoms in the neonate.

Tramadol is distributed into milk. Because the safety of tramadol in infants and neonates has not been evaluated, the drug is not recommended for obstetrical preoperative medication or for post-delivery analgesia in nursing women.

SIDE EFFECTS

Frequent - asthenia, fatigue, hot flushes, dizziness, headache, tremor, abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, dyspepesia, flatulence, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, anorexia, anxiety, confusion, euphoria, insomnia, nervousness, somnolence, pruritis, rash, increased sweating.

Less Frequent - chest pain, rigors, syncope, withdrawal syndrome, hypertension, aggravated hypertension, hypotension, ataxia, convulsions, hypertonia, migrane, aggravated migrane, involuntary muscle contractions, paraesthesia, stupor, vertigo, dysphagia, melena, tongue edema, tinnitus, arrhythmia, palpitation, tachycardia, hepatic function abnormal, weight decrease, amnesia, depersonalization, depression, drug abuse, emotional lability, hallucination, impotence, paranoia, abnormal thinking, anemia, dyspnea, albuminuria, micturition disorder, oliguria, urinary retention, abnormal vision

Other events which have been reported with the use of tramadol products and for which a causal association has not been determined include: vasodilation, orthostatic hypotension, myocardial ischemia, pulmonary edema, allergic reactions (including anaphylaxis and urticaria, Stevens-Johnson syndrome/TENS), cognitive dysfunction, difficulty concentrating, depression, suicidal tendency, hepatitis liver failure and gastrointestinal bleeding. Reported laboratory abnormalities included elevated creatinine and liver function tests. Serotonin syndrome (whose symptoms may include mental status change, hyperreflexia, fever, shivering, tremor, agitation, diaphoresis, seizures and coma) has been reported with tramadol when used concomitantly with other serotonergic agents such as SSRIs and MAOIs.

Other clinically significant adverse experiences previously reported with acetaminophen include: allergic reactions (primarily skin rash).

SOURCES

http://www.ortho-mcneil.com/products/pi/pdfs/ultracet.pdf
http://www.medscape.com
http://www.mdconsult.com; Mosby's Drug Consult

Edited by Strutsy on 03/18/02 05:17 PM (server time).

Has anyone tried ultracet. I just got switched from Vioxx to it. My PCP doesn't even ask anymore if my NSAID is working, he just switches it each time I go in. Thats probably because it never is working well when he asks.

Daniel

Dan,

I have never heard of this but your rheumy sounds... funny. Well, if you keep trying you will hit on something that works. Good luck!

Hugs,
Kristin :)

I hunted around a little on the internet and found out this is basically a stronger form of Ultram. It is working quite well

Daniel

Daniel,

I had an allergic reaction to Ultram (rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing and swallowing). So it probably would not work for me, but I am glad it works for you.

Kristin :)

does ultracet work any better than darvocet or percocett? I have used both and like the mild action of darvocet and the strong effects of percocets (when pain is really bad that is). Was just wondering if I should ask my doc about it.


Phill Lee

Ultram is supposed to be as strong as those narcotics you mentioned, but w/o being a narcotic. I, personally don't find them quite as strong, but they are very close, and of course, different meds work better for different people. I would say give it a try, but have omething as a back-up if you can.

Good luck

Daniel


Keep on keepin on Kicking some AS

Hey everyone,

Someone had mentioned that Ultracet is mainly intended for acute pain, and not long term use. This being so, I have been taking it long term, and have noticed that it seems to have lost most of it's effectiveness. Is this because of the long term use, or maybe my pain is just worse? I'm running out of options, I am now taking more that the prescribed dose (I'm taking the safe limit/day), and am still in pain. My doc refuses to prescribe anything narcotic. Luckly I am going to a pain specialist on March 4, but I was just looking for some imput before I go to that secesion.

Thanks in advance

Take care my friend

Daniel

Keep on keepin on Kicking some AS

I have taken ultram (tramadol) for the last couple of years! It is supposedly non-addictive but when I discontinue use I feel horribly ill - like I'm having withdrawal symptons from an addictive drug! Has anyone who has taken ultracet felt this way when discontinuing use? Just curious....


Amy Ediger

Hi Amy,

I am no longer taking tramadol, but I did research it quite a bit when I was on it. Your doctor is mistaken. Tramadol is not highly adictive, but it is addivtive. (Well, there is actually a difference between true addiction and dependance. Addicition is more centering your life around a drug. The drug is so important to you, that everything else pales in comparison: family, friends, your health, your morals, etc. What most people call addiction is actually dependancy. That is where your body becomes used to a substance and thinks that it is required. When you take the substance away, the body thinks something is wrong and you go through withdrawal. There is a BIG difference between these, but what your doctor was refering to, using layman's terms instead of technical ones, was dependancy.) It is not meant for long term use, and one can become dependant on it with prolonged use. It is not a traditional opiate (basicly a narcotic), but it can cause a narcotic-like addicion because it reacts to the body in a similar way that opiates do. You should check with your doctor about slowly lowering your dosage since you have been on it for a very prolonged time.

I hope that this helps.

Take care,

Daniel

http://www.Power-Over-Pain.org