What is Ultram: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Ultram overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Ultram ER, Ultram ER, Ultram ER, Qdolo, Ultram, FusePaq Synapryn

Generic Names:

  • Tramadol Hcl

Uses:

  • Treats moderate to severe pain. This medicine is a narcotic pain reliever.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Analgesic

Forms:

  • Long Acting Capsule, Liquid, Tablet, Dissolving Tablet, Long Acting Tablet

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Ultram used for?

What form(s) does Ultram come in

  • Long Acting Capsule

  • Liquid

  • Tablet

  • Dissolving Tablet

  • Long Acting Tablet

What are common Ultram doses?

  • Tablet 50MG

Common Ultram prescriptions

  • Ultram
    10 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    100 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    12 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    15 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    21 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    30 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    40 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    60 tablets bottle

  • Ultram
    50mg tablet

How to take Ultram

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.

  • Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Drop off any unused narcotic medicine at a drug take-back location right away. If you do not have a drug take-back location near you, flush any unused narcotic medicine down the toilet. Check your local drug store and clinics for take-back locations. You can also check the DEA web site for locations. Here is the link to the FDA safe disposal of medicines website: www.fda.gov/drugs/resourcesforyou/consumers/buyingusingmedicinesafely/ensuringsafeuseofmedicine/safedisposalofmedicines/ucm186187.htm

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Swallow the extended-release tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Make sure your hands are dry before you handle the disintegrating tablet. Peel back the foil from the blister pack, then remove the tablet. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. After it has melted, swallow or take a drink of water.

  • This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Drink plenty of liquids to help avoid constipation.

What to do if you miss a dose of Ultram

Ultram contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to tramadol or other narcotic medicine, or if you have stomach or bowel blockage (including paralytic ileus) or serious lung or breathing problems (including asthma, respiratory depression).

Ultram warnings

  • This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:High risk of overdose, which can lead to deathRespiratory depression (serious breathing problem that can be life-threatening)Sleep-related breathing problems (including sleep apnea, sleep-related hypoxemia)Serotonin syndrome (when used with certain medicines)Unusual change in mood or behavior

  • This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Sit or lie down if you feel dizzy. Stand up carefully.

  • This medicine can be habit-forming. Do not use more than your prescribed dose. Call your doctor if you think your medicine is not working.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease (including cirrhosis), adrenal problems, gallstones, lung or breathing problems (including sleep apnea), pancreas problems, or a history of head injury, seizures, drug addiction, or depression or similar emotional problems. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • This medicine could cause infertility. Talk with your doctor before using this medicine if you plan to have children.

  • Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.

Ultram interactions

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • This medicine may cause constipation, especially with long-term use. Ask your doctor if you should use a laxative to prevent and treat constipation.

  • Some forms of this medicine contain phenylalanine (aspartame).

  • Do not use this medicine if you are using or have used an MAO inhibitor within the past 14 days.

  • Some medicines can affect how tramadol works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:Amiodarone, carbamazepine, cyclobenzaprine, digoxin, erythromycin, ketoconazole, lithium, metaxalone, mirtazapine, phenytoin, promethazine, rifampin, ritonavir, quinidine, trazodoneBlood thinner (including warfarin)Diuretic (water pill)Medicine to treat depression (including bupropion, fluoxetine, paroxetine, quinidine)Phenothiazine medicineTriptan medicine for migraine headaches

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol. Tell your doctor if you are using buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, or a muscle relaxer (including cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone).

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

  • Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.

Ultram side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Blue lips, fingernails, or skin

  • Extreme dizziness, drowsiness, or weakness, shallow breathing, slow heartbeat, seizures, and cold, clammy skin

  • Blistering, peeling, red skin rash

  • Anxiety, restlessness, fast heartbeat, fever, sweating, muscle spasms, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, seeing or hearing things that are not there

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting

  • Unusual mood or behavior, thoughts of killing yourself or others

  • Seizures

  • Trouble breathing

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of appetite

  • Headache

  • Dry mouth

  • Weakness

  • Constipation, loss of appetite, stomach upset

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