Ultram is a Narcotic - Pain Management Message Board

butrfligirl28 · 10-07-2007, 06:40 PM

Hello All,

I have seen so many post over the years stating that they take Ultram because it is non-narcotic. There has been some debate about this, but the drug company has finally declared Ultram to be an opiate. I just read an ad for Ultram ER, and it stated that it is in fact a narcotic pain med. People have been saying for years that stopping it will cause withdrawal, that people abuse it, ect. In my early CP years, I had many doctors prescribe it, "instead of addicting narcotics." It never worked for me, so that was a waste of time.

Just wanted to share that the debate appears to be over. I wonder if it will be harder to get now? Food for thought!

friendly_one · 10-07-2007, 06:47 PM

Hey butrfly...you beat me to the post!

Yes, indeed, Ultram is classified as an opiate/opioid. Still, alot of docs say it isn't. I'm on Oxycontin and Actiq at the present time (but I've been on every other class 2 narcotic on the market over the many years in the past). I went with my husband to the spinal doc when he hurt his back. It was nothing serious, but he threw out his back for the umpteenth time and decided to have it checked out.

Well, the doc prescribed him Ultram and said "this is for pain, but it's not a narcotic or opiate/opioid". I about fell out of the chair. I've known for a while how it's classified. I have a PDR handbook at home that my PCP gave to me since I take so many different meds on top of my pain meds. When he went to have it filled, the pharmacist said it is an opiate/opioid, but not like what I'm on. She also said if you take it for more than 5 days in a row constantly, you will have w/d when stopping it. You don't get w/d from a pain med if it's not an opiate/opioid..duh. LOL I've never heard of anyone getting w/d from Advil or Tylenol.

I know there are other meds you can w/d from.....certain b/p meds, benzo's, etc. I'm just talking about pain meds here.

Anyway, just my experience. Or should I say my husband's exerience.

Edit: opiates are alkaloids from opium..i.e., morphine & codeine. Everything else is an opioid because it's synthetic.

morgyporgy · 10-08-2007, 06:45 AM

Oh boy. Just another fine example of the public knowing something before the manufacturers admit it. I have seen many many posts from people who say they get the exact same effects (if not more) from this drug than any other opiate. I also have read that this stuff is one of the hardest to come off of.

It makes you wonder if all those doctors who hand this stuff out like candy are about to make their patients suffer? You know as soon as they throw the "narcotic" label on it, they will freak out!!!! My neighbor takes this and never has to see her doctor she just calls in for refills monthly. I will be sure to share this news with her today. I am allergic to tramadol so fortunetly this does not affect me. However i do know alot of people that this may be life changing. I really honestly believe the drs. will pull back on this med and there are millions who will suffer. What a shame.

God Bless, morgy porgy

Backinthesaddle · 10-08-2007, 06:46 AM

I would have to do my own research but I believe it is a synthetic narcotic. It is not made from an opiate. It has the same properties as an opiate but not derived from the same substance. I never had withdrawl symptoms when I went off it during my pregnancy I believe if you have addictive genes you can become addicted to tylenol. Our bodies become dependant but that is different then the addiction that cane be caused by a NARCOTIC such as a opiate. Remember Heroin is a opiate and has the highest addictive rates of any drug.

Arthr Itis · 10-08-2007, 07:00 AM

I stopped taking Ultram after my neck surgery. The first night cold turkey was spent walking the floors. I couldn't handle not moving. I had to move every limb or it would feel like exploding. By 7 am my wife suggested taking just one. Within an hour I was sleeping like a baby. By the way, I'm one of those weird people who after ten years of 2 packs a day gave up smoking, cold turkey while surrounded by smokers at work and home. It was nothing compared to getting off Ultram. Of course now I'm back on Ultram but what difference does it make if it's addicting, I'll probably be on it the rest of my life anyway. Fred