Generic name: acetaminophen and tramadol [ a-SEET-a-MIN-o-fen-and-TRAM-a-dol ]
Brand name: Ultracet
Dosage form: oral tablet (325 mg-37.5 mg)
Drug class: Narcotic analgesic combinations

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Mar 2, 2023. Written by Cerner Multum.

What is acetaminophen and tramadol?

Acetaminophen and tramadol is a combination medicine used for the short term (5 days or less) treatment of severe acute pain.

Acetaminophen and tramadol contains an opioid-like medicine, and may be habit-forming.

Acetaminophen and tramadol is available only under a special program. You must be registered in the program and understand the risks and benefits of acetaminophen and tramadol.

Acetaminophen and tramadol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Acetaminophen and tramadol side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

This medicine can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should administer naloxone and/or seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep), a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out, seizures;

• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop), chest pain;

• liver problems--upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• low cortisol levels-- nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness;

• high levels of serotonin in the body--agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, diarrhea;

• low blood sodium--headache, confusion, problems with thinking or memory, weakness, feeling unsteady; or

• low blood sugar--headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, or feeling jittery.

Serious breathing problems may be more likely in older adults and people who are debilitated or have wasting syndrome or chronic breathing disorders.

Common side effects of acetaminophen and tramadol may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, sweating; or

• stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Related/similar drugs

acetaminophen, tramadol, cyclobenzaprine, naproxen, oxycodone, Tylenol

Warnings

MISUSE OF OPIOID MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep acetaminophen and tramadol where others cannot get to it.

Fatal side effects may occur if you also drink alcohol or use other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow breathing.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or tramadol (Ultram), or if you have:

• severe asthma or breathing problems, a blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines); or

• if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine.

Acetaminophen and tramadol is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Do not give this medicine to anyone younger than 18 years old who recently had surgery to remove the tonsils or adenoids.

Seizures have occurred in some people taking tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have ever had:

• a metabolic disorder;

• breathing problems, sleep apnea, a head injury, brain tumor, seizures; or

• alcoholism or drug addiction, or if you have recently used sedatives, tranquilizers, or narcotic medications.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease, or if you drink alcohol;

• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis), urination problems;

• problems with your pancreas, gallbladder, or thyroid; or

• depression, mental illness, or a suicide attempt.

Using this medicine during pregnancy may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you notice severe drowsiness or slow breathing in the nursing baby.

How should I take acetaminophen and tramadol?

Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Never use acetaminophen and tramadol in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of acetaminophen and tramadol.

Never share acetaminophen and tramadol with another person, especially someone with a history of drug addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away this medicine is against the law.

The maximum amount of acetaminophen and tramadol is 2 tablets per dose, or 8 tablets per day. Do not take this medicine for longer than 5 days in a row. Do not take more than 4000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours.

You may take this medicine with or without food, but take it the same way each time.

You should not stop using acetaminophen and tramadol suddenly. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Do not keep leftover medicine. Just one dose can cause death in someone using it accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist about a drug take-back program. You may also mix the leftover medicine with cat litter or coffee grounds in a sealed plastic bag and throw the bag in the trash.

Acetaminophen and tramadol dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Pain:

Usual dose: 2 tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain
Maximum dose: 8 tablets per day
Maximum duration: 5 days

Comments:
-Each tablet contains Tramadol 37.5 mg and Acetaminophen 325 mg. Maximum daily doses are Tramadol: 300 mg per day and Acetaminophen 2600 mg per day.
-Use of more than 1 product at time containing acetaminophen is not recommended.
-Due to the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, this drug is reserved for patients who have not been or are not expected to tolerate non-opioid pain medications or who have not obtained or are not expected to obtain analgesia with other pain management treatments.

Use: For the short-term (use should be limited to 5 days or less) management of acute pain, severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for whom alternative treatments are inadequate.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since this medicine is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it's almost time for your next dose. Do not use two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. An overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or person using acetaminophen and tramadol without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.

In case of an overdose, make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.

What should I avoid while taking acetaminophen and tramadol?

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how this medicine will affect you.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain acetaminophen (sometimes abbreviated as APAP).

What other drugs will affect acetaminophen and tramadol?

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medicines at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you use, which may increase side effects or make the medicines less effective.

You may have a fatal acetaminophen and tramadol overdose if you start or stop using certain other medicines. Tell your doctor about all your medications.

Many other drugs can be dangerous when used with acetaminophen and tramadol. Tell your doctor if you also use:

• medicine for allergies, asthma, blood pressure, motion sickness, irritable bowel, or overactive bladder;

• other opioid medicines;

• sleep medicine, muscle relaxers, or other drugs that make you drowsy or a benzodiazepine sedative like Valium, Klonopin, or Xanax; or

• drugs that affect serotonin, such as antidepressants, stimulants, or medicine for migraines or Parkinson's disease.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect acetaminophen and tramadol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed in this medication guide.

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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