FairyMagick
03-17-2005, 11:42 PM
Hello I was told that the drug Ultram was not a narcotic by someone that is taking it, and suggested I ask my DR about it. Is Ultram a narcotic? Any info would be appreciated.
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Shoreline
03-18-2005, 09:47 AM
Hi Fairy, Here is some basic info from drugs.com
TRAMADOL
Description: Although tramadol is not a narcotic, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Tramadol passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Although Tramadol, the active ingredent in Ultram and Ultracet "tramadol + tylenol" is not classified as an opiate, IT does have opiate properties. It's anelgesic action comes from this drugs ability to bind to the MU opiate receptor,The same opiate receptor that all opiates bind to that create anelgesia. Due to it's opiate like properties discontinuing abruptly can cause withdrawal syndrome.
Tramadol also has selective serritonin reuptake inhibitor action "SSRI" Much like Pxail, prozac and other anti depressants in this catagory that are also used to treat pain through their abilty to reduce substance P, a neuro inflamatory agent. Neither antidepressant or mds that bind to opiate receptrs should be topped abruptly.
There is usaully a titration perriod when tramadol is first initiated. You start at a lowwer dose and slowly increase untill you find maximum benefit , although you can't exceed doses higher than 400 mgs per day. It can potentiate the action of other CNS depressants and opiates and should be used with caution when first initiated as to avoid intolerable side effects.
So abrupt discontinuation of Tramadol products can cause withdrawal symptoms similar to both opiate withdrawal and anti depressant abstinence syndrome. Neither class of meds should be discontinued abruptly.
It was first touted as the safe alternative to mild narcotic pain relievers such as Hydrocodone and codeine. All opiates bind to the MU receptor along with other opiate receptors. They now place warnings about discontinuing TRamadol products abruptly. Even moderate doses should be tapered down to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. The longer you take it the more like you will have a problem if you discontinue this med abruptly.
The max daily dose is 400 mgs a day and exceding this dose can cause seizures, do not exceeed 400 mgs a day.
It's not quite the benign pain reliever it was first marketed as and the DEA has been considering scheduling this med, as it does any med with potential for abuse of physical dependence.
Just be safe, report any adverse effects imediately and don't discontinue it abruptly.
The full prescribing info can be found at the manufacturers web site.
http://www.ortho-mcneil.com/products/index.html
Good luck, Dave
TRAMADOL
Description: Although tramadol is not a narcotic, it may become habit-forming, causing mental or physical dependence. Tramadol passes into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing babies.
Although Tramadol, the active ingredent in Ultram and Ultracet "tramadol + tylenol" is not classified as an opiate, IT does have opiate properties. It's anelgesic action comes from this drugs ability to bind to the MU opiate receptor,The same opiate receptor that all opiates bind to that create anelgesia. Due to it's opiate like properties discontinuing abruptly can cause withdrawal syndrome.
Tramadol also has selective serritonin reuptake inhibitor action "SSRI" Much like Pxail, prozac and other anti depressants in this catagory that are also used to treat pain through their abilty to reduce substance P, a neuro inflamatory agent. Neither antidepressant or mds that bind to opiate receptrs should be topped abruptly.
There is usaully a titration perriod when tramadol is first initiated. You start at a lowwer dose and slowly increase untill you find maximum benefit , although you can't exceed doses higher than 400 mgs per day. It can potentiate the action of other CNS depressants and opiates and should be used with caution when first initiated as to avoid intolerable side effects.
So abrupt discontinuation of Tramadol products can cause withdrawal symptoms similar to both opiate withdrawal and anti depressant abstinence syndrome. Neither class of meds should be discontinued abruptly.
It was first touted as the safe alternative to mild narcotic pain relievers such as Hydrocodone and codeine. All opiates bind to the MU receptor along with other opiate receptors. They now place warnings about discontinuing TRamadol products abruptly. Even moderate doses should be tapered down to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. The longer you take it the more like you will have a problem if you discontinue this med abruptly.
The max daily dose is 400 mgs a day and exceding this dose can cause seizures, do not exceeed 400 mgs a day.
It's not quite the benign pain reliever it was first marketed as and the DEA has been considering scheduling this med, as it does any med with potential for abuse of physical dependence.
Just be safe, report any adverse effects imediately and don't discontinue it abruptly.
The full prescribing info can be found at the manufacturers web site.
http://www.ortho-mcneil.com/products/index.html
Good luck, Dave
soaplady
03-19-2005, 03:58 AM
Hi, I'm new on healthboards, and have been posting on the back problems board. I took this drug for the first time tonight for lower back pain (that's another story....possible SI joint and/or facet joint disorder). I was given this med b/c I am having surgery in two weeks for gyn. problems, and cannot take my naproxen until after the surgery. Tylenol isn't strong enough for me.
I don't like the fact this drug is similar to the SSRI's. I took Zoloft years ago for two years, and doc said it was great b/c you didn't have to wean off. BIG MISTAKE!! I had horrible w/d symptoms, and it took me three months to wean off (did it myself). Plus, I gained alot of weight (20 pounds). Does this drug cause weight gain?
I'm taking 50 mg, script says I can take every 3-4 hours for pain. I don't plan on taking this all the time knowing this med will need to be weaned off. Is taking 50 mg once a day (at night) for two weeks a problem? Doc didn't give any info about it (that's yet another story...about my docs).
Thanks for any info!
I don't like the fact this drug is similar to the SSRI's. I took Zoloft years ago for two years, and doc said it was great b/c you didn't have to wean off. BIG MISTAKE!! I had horrible w/d symptoms, and it took me three months to wean off (did it myself). Plus, I gained alot of weight (20 pounds). Does this drug cause weight gain?
I'm taking 50 mg, script says I can take every 3-4 hours for pain. I don't plan on taking this all the time knowing this med will need to be weaned off. Is taking 50 mg once a day (at night) for two weeks a problem? Doc didn't give any info about it (that's yet another story...about my docs).
Thanks for any info!
BrittleBones
03-20-2005, 10:58 AM
:) Hi! I can tell you a little bit about my own experience with Ultram. I took Ultram for about 8 months. I took 2 50mg. tablets every 8 hours for back pain. Sometimes I would take 3 tablets (a definite no-no :nono: ). I remember that it helped somewhat, but nothing like the true narcotic meds. I became physically dependent on the drug and the withdrawal was pretty bad. It took me about 10 days to really start feeling like myself again. I would think that the way you are taking it there wouldn't be any problem at all with physical withdrawal. Maybe somebody else has a different position on it, but from my point of view you should be just fine. Hope everything works out for you...good luck with your surgery! Kathy Mac
soaplady
03-21-2005, 12:12 AM
Thanks, Kathy! It certainly does sound alot like what happens when you try to stop taking ssri's. I had that experience some years ago, and not one I would care to repeat! I'm glad I know this so I can only take it when I absolutely need to. I'm glad you came out of this fine!! Good luck to you, also.
FairyMagick
03-28-2005, 03:22 AM
Thank you everyone for all the info. I don't think I'll be taking any ultram!
BlessingsGalore
03-29-2005, 07:10 PM
I have been taking Ultram for over 10 years. I dunno what it would do to me if I stopped taking it. I have severe fibro and don't think I could live without it.
HOWEVER, after taking it soooooooooo long, I now have Facet Joint Syndrome and Severe Arthritis of the SPine and Ultram doesn't TOUCH IT for me.
I need something a lot stronger for the pain I'm in now. I'm sure the Ultram is like taking water to me now.
It is great for the serotonin uplift.
Hope this helps some.......... :wave:
HOWEVER, after taking it soooooooooo long, I now have Facet Joint Syndrome and Severe Arthritis of the SPine and Ultram doesn't TOUCH IT for me.
I need something a lot stronger for the pain I'm in now. I'm sure the Ultram is like taking water to me now.
It is great for the serotonin uplift.
Hope this helps some.......... :wave:
gillian30
04-04-2005, 07:26 AM
I've been considering Ultram and have avoided it due to the possibility of seizures...that idea just about scares the heck outta me. What are the realistic chances that someone who has no history of seizures could have one with this drug?
janet29
04-07-2005, 01:51 AM
i was taking ultam for my fibromyalgia,and it didnt take any pain any for me.i took it for 1 month and switched to a better med.
Fabrashamx
04-07-2005, 06:26 PM
Hi All! I'm new to the boards so forgive me if I commit any faux pas. I have ddd with a fusion at C-7 and a facet dysfunction in my lower back, I have nerve damage because my doctor at the time of my rupture treated me for a torn trapezoid for 3 months before he ordered an MRI. I have an internist now that treats me for chronic pain, and I have been on Ultram (tramadol) for almost 5 years. I also take lortab 7.5 for break through pain and zanaflex. My experience with tramadol has been largely good, but I know some people cant tolerate it well at all, or have no pain relief with it. I have had the horrible experience of being out of town and trying to get a refill and going two days without it, felt horrrrrrrible, like my skin was crawling and I was going to have a seizure. I take 100 mgs. 3 times a day, and the lortab 7.5 one in the am one in the pm. If I have a bad month, she will suppliment my lortabs, up to 8 per day, but for the most part I am on the exact same dose I was on at the beginning. I feel like the tramadol has kept me from needing stronger meds and I think they work much better in concert with a narcotic then all by itself. I would recommend it with a caveat emptor, some people have major relief, others little to none. And never ever ever stop taking it without a doctors help. Thanks for letting me onto your boards, Ive been reading along and you all seem so nice and caring. :wave:
siren1024
04-08-2005, 04:22 PM
I was on Ultram for 3 months for a herniated disk and it gave me bad heart palpitations. After a panic attack sent me to the ER convinced I was dying, I flushed them. W/D's were terrible. I had the worst restless leg/arm symptoms, nausea, and insomnia. I constantly felt like my skin was crawling, like the other poster. It tood me 2 days to get off the couch and at least 5 days to feel normal again, and I was only taking 4 or 5 a day. I hate that drug and would never take it again. I was told by the docs who gave it to me that it wasn't "that addictive" but don't believe it! I have taken other meds for the same ammount of time, including hydro and codeine, and have never had the severe w/d's I had with Ultram.
lori j
04-15-2005, 03:09 AM
I also had horrible experience with ultracet (sister drug to ultram). It is supposed to be a synthetic opiate & not addictive! DON'T believe it. I was on it for 9 weeks & the withdrawal was horrible. Took me almost a month to feel normal again. I had panic attacks, agorophobia, paranoia, headaches, eye pain & tremors.
If you look it up on the net you will find that it says "not to be given more than 5 days"!!! Pretty scary to read that when you've been on it for months!!!
If you look it up on the net you will find that it says "not to be given more than 5 days"!!! Pretty scary to read that when you've been on it for months!!!
lori j
04-15-2005, 03:13 AM
Ultracet is used to treat moderate to severe pain for a period of five days or less. It contains two pain-relieving agents. Tramadol, known technically as an opioid analgesic, is a narcotic pain reliever. Acetaminophen is the active ingredient in the over-the-counter pain remedy Tylenol.
BrittleBones
04-15-2005, 08:01 AM
I've posted about my experience with Ultram in other threads, but I feel very strongly about what happened when I took if for some length of time so I'm posting again. I found Ultram to be VERY addicting physically. It was a hard drug to withdraw from when I finally decided to stop taking the med. I was not taking the medicine as directed because 2 tablets every 6 hours was not helping my pain. Soon I was taking 3 tabs every 4 hours. I continued to up the amount of pills until I was taking up to 12 pills per day. At that level I was having tiny twinges (almost like seizures), decreased respirations, drowsiness, confusion, slurred speech, etc. The most unusual side effect however was auditory. Believe it or not I was hearing symphonic music every time I was in earshot of sustained loud noise. For example, I could be sitting near a window and a big truck could come rolling by. While the truck was approaching, while it was right outside the house and while it was fading away down the road, I was hearing classical music!! This was not just random notes and vague sounds, this was actual Mozart, Brahams (sp?) and Beethoven! It was the scariest thing. I am convinced that it was a symptom of overdose of this medication. I looked up the overdose info on the net and could only find one reference to "auditory" problems with excessive use.
Anyway......I LOVE music, but I would rather choose my own tunes. I stopped the Ultram immediately and went through a good month of withdrawal symptoms, restless legs, sweating, freezing, shaky, weakness, etc. Ultram is one drug that I will never take again. Sorry for all the rambling, just thought I'd put my penny's worth. Kathy Mac
Anyway......I LOVE music, but I would rather choose my own tunes. I stopped the Ultram immediately and went through a good month of withdrawal symptoms, restless legs, sweating, freezing, shaky, weakness, etc. Ultram is one drug that I will never take again. Sorry for all the rambling, just thought I'd put my penny's worth. Kathy Mac
BlessingsGalore
04-15-2005, 11:27 AM
Well, I think everything in PORTIONS .....................not OVER PORTIONS is the IDEAL isn't it. I mean.....I've been on Ultram for 10 years and my doc will not let me have over 4 a day.
I think you can Abuse any good med, and get BAD REACTIONS...... Right ?
I think you can Abuse any good med, and get BAD REACTIONS...... Right ?
BrittleBones
04-16-2005, 05:37 PM
Hi Blessings! You said it!! Anything good can be turned into something very bad when one doesn't follow the directions! Kathy Mac :nono:
lori j
04-18-2005, 01:50 AM
Well, I think everything in PORTIONS .....................not OVER PORTIONS is the IDEAL isn't it. I mean.....I've been on Ultram for 10 years and my doc will not let me have over 4 a day.
I think you can Abuse any good med, and get BAD REACTIONS...... Right ?
I took it as recommended, two pills a day for two months & the withdrawal was horrible. I guess each person can react differently to each med, but this one is definitely addicing & you DO go thru withdrawal when you stop taking it or even weaning off of it.
I think you can Abuse any good med, and get BAD REACTIONS...... Right ?
I took it as recommended, two pills a day for two months & the withdrawal was horrible. I guess each person can react differently to each med, but this one is definitely addicing & you DO go thru withdrawal when you stop taking it or even weaning off of it.
tuthfary32
04-25-2005, 03:16 PM
Hi, I was on tramadol for the last 18 months, I have been off them now for almost 8 weeks. I was told it was non narcotic and that I couldn't become addicted to it. but after a couple of months I realized if I didn't take them I would get very sick. so not wanting to deal with that I continued to take them, until one day my RX didnt arrive on time in the mail. I was so sick, I wanted to die!, after 2 nights of hell I went to the hospital and was admited to a detox center. I was on suboxone for 4 days in detox and left with a RX for 1 weeks worth. It took a long time to feel back to normal I felt like my arms and legs were filled with cement for about 4 weeks. I thought I would feel like crap forever, but just when I was thinking of giving up and ordering some tramadol, I started to feel better. Tramadol isnt as innocent as it is made to sound.
et318
04-25-2005, 04:53 PM
Ultram is a good drug for the right person. Everyone has a tendency to discuss their intolerable side effect or problem, but the truth is that no single medication works for everyone. This is why PM docs must be well versed in appropriate dosages and titration of many opioid and non-opioid analgesics, as well as adjuvant agents.
It is true that some seem to complain of withdrawal type symptoms when the drug is abruptly discontinued. The answer to this problem has been to do a gradual wean just like we do for true opioids. If you had withdrawal symptoms despite the wean then it was one of either two things....a poor timetable for weaning the drug or you didn't have the symptoms due to Ultram.
Tramadol has been a lifesaver for some and just another "tried and failed" durg to others. It is no more dangerous to try then any of the other analgesics. In response to the question about seizure possibility, while there is documentation of risk, I have worked with hundreds of individuals taking Ultram and have yet to encounter any seizure episodes.
Good Luck
It is true that some seem to complain of withdrawal type symptoms when the drug is abruptly discontinued. The answer to this problem has been to do a gradual wean just like we do for true opioids. If you had withdrawal symptoms despite the wean then it was one of either two things....a poor timetable for weaning the drug or you didn't have the symptoms due to Ultram.
Tramadol has been a lifesaver for some and just another "tried and failed" durg to others. It is no more dangerous to try then any of the other analgesics. In response to the question about seizure possibility, while there is documentation of risk, I have worked with hundreds of individuals taking Ultram and have yet to encounter any seizure episodes.
Good Luck