Ultram: A Basic Medicine Guide to Ultram ER Pain Reliever

What is Ultram?

Ultram is a brand name pain relief medication that alleviates body pains ranging from moderate to severe. Its generic name is tramadol. Ultram ER or extended-release is a unique pain relief narcotic in that it is released into your system at regular time intervals to extend the effects of the medicine. This makes Ultram ER very effective in providing relief from pain for an extended period of time. This is why it is highly recommended for those who suffer from chronic pain; its effects are long-lasting even without frequent intake.

Who cannot take Ultram?

Despite its guaranteed effects in alleviating moderate to severe chronic pain, Ultram is not prescribed for any one suffering from pain. Ultram is not safe for the following patients:

Those who have history of drug addiction or alcohol addiction since Ultram is said to be potentially habit-forming
Those who have history of epilepsy or other conditions that cause seizures since Ultram has been linked to cases of seizures
Those who suffer from metabolic disorder
Those who suffered from head injuries in the past
Those who have kidney disease
Those who are combating liver disease
Those who suffer from stomach disorder
Patients with a history of mental illness or depression
Those who are likely to have thoughts of suicide
Patients under 18 years of age

If you are taking Ultram, make sure not to share your Ultram medications with any other patients, regardless of whether he or she is experiencing the same pain symptoms. Most importantly, do not give it to patients who may have history of addiction in the past. To ensure the safety of everyone in your household, store your Ultram medications in a safe and secure place. If you really need to take Ultram under these conditions, check with your doctor so you can have special tests performed. The tests may determine whether Ultram medication is completely unsafe or if you can take Ultram in smaller dosages. Ultram is under Pregnancy Category C. This means that the effects of Ultram on an unborn baby is unknown. However, the risk of causing serious or even fatal side effects on an unborn baby and on a pregnant woman is considered as high. Thus, Ultram is also not safe for the following patients:

Pregnant women or women planning to get pregnant

Mothers who are breastfeeding a baby

Which drugs cant be taken with Ultram?

Aside from conditions that may prevent you from being able to take Ultram for pain relief, there are some medications that should not be combined with Ultram intake. Do not take Ultram if you are also taking:

Antidepressants
Muscle relaxants
Nausea and vomiting medications
Other narcotic pain medicines
Sedatives or tranquilizers (one example of which is Valium)
Medication for anxiety
Medication for any kind of mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder

Aside from drugs, some substances also do not interact well with Ultram. So even if you’re not taking any of the listed medications, you cannot take Ultram if you are drunk or still have alcohol in your system. Taking Ultram with any of these medications or with alcohol can increase the risk of seizures. The risk for each patient differs based on his or her medical history. When to call for attention when medicating with Ultram? Ultram can help patients find relief for their chronic pain round the clock, so a doctor does not have to monitor intake of the medication closely. However, there are instances when you need to contact your doctor about your medication.

If you think the drug is not really effectively alleviating your pain
If you think you’ve taken too much or have taken a double dose of Ultram; this could lead to overdose, which could be fatal

What happens when you take too much Ultram?

The regular dose for Ultram should be less than 300 milligrams in one day. Beyond this, you are likely to experience overdose symptoms. In such cases, seek immediate medical attention. You can tell if you’re suffering from Ultram overdose if you experience the following symptoms:

Lightheadedness
Cold or clammy skin
Shallow breathing or difficulty in breathing
Irregular and excessive drowsiness
Slowed heart rate
Extreme body weakness
Fainting

Consult closely with your doctor when taking Ultram to ensure your own safety. And if you wish to stop medications, you and your doctor has to come up with a plan so you will not experience withdrawal symptoms such as anxiety, nausea, diarrhea, chills, tremors, hallucinations, sleeping problems, and breathing difficulties.