Brand Names: Ultracet

Generic Name: Acetaminophen and Tramadol (a seet a MIN o fen and TRAM a dol)

What is Ultracet?

Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of tramadol.

Tramadol is a narcotic-like pain reliever.

Ultracet is used to treat moderate to severe pain.

What is the most important information I should know about Ultracet?

Ultracet can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Seizures (convulsions) have occurred in some people taking Ultracet. You may be more likely to have a seizure while taking Ultracet if you have a history of seizures or head injury, a metabolic disorder, a brain or spinal cord infection, or if you are taking certain medicines. Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure.

Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

Do not take more of this medication than is recommended. An Ultracet overdose can be fatal. The maximum amount of Ultracet is 2 tablets per dose, or 8 tablets per day.

You should not take Ultracet if you are allergic to acetaminophen and tramadol, if you are intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used narcotic pain medicine, a sedative or tranquilizer, medicine for depression or mental illness, or any type of street drug.

How Taken

Take Ultracet tablets orally. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If Ultracet upsets your stomach, take it with food or milk. Do not take more than 2 tablets at a time or more than 8 tablets per day. Higher doses may cause severe side effects, do not take more medication than your prescriber has instructed.

Warnings/Precautions

DO NOT TAKE Ultracet IF YOU HAVE HAD SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to codeine. A severe allergic reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. IF YOU EXPERIENCE difficulty breathing, tightness of chest, swelling of eyelids, face or lips or if you develop a rash or hives, tell your doctor immediately. Do not take any more doses of Ultracet unless your doctor tells you to do so. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take Ultracet for longer than prescribed. Ultracet MAY BE HABIT FORMING. Use caution driving or operating machinery. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL while taking Ultracet. DO NOT TAKE other products containing acetaminophen (check labels closely) while you are taking Ultracet. IF DIZZINESS OCCURS, sit or stand up slowly. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor that you are taking Ultracet. IF YOU EXPERIENCE WITHDRAWAL SYMPTOMS (nervousness, sweating, nausea, diarrhea, tremor, trouble sleeping), check with your doctor. Discuss with your doctor is you are planning on getting pregnant. Ultracet IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking Ultracet.

Missed Dose

If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

Possible Side Effects

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
Rare or uncommon: changes in vision; difficulty breathing, shortness of breath; fast or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations (seeing and hearing things that are not really there); not passing urine as often as usual; redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth; skin rash, itching; seizures (convulsions); yellow tint to your skin or whites of your eyes.
More common: anxiety, agitation; vomiting.
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome); constipation or diarrhea; difficulty sleeping; dizziness, drowsiness; dry mouth; false sense of well being, feeling of unreality, mood changes; headache; indigestion; itching; nausea; sweating or flushing.

Storage

Keep out of reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Overdose

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a Ultracet overdose include nausea; vomiting; sweating; difficulty breathing; shallow, weak breathing; and seizures.

More Information

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Ultracet may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Do not take other prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain acetaminophen (Tylenol, pain relievers, cold and flu medicines, others) during treatment with Ultracet. Taking too much acetaminophen may be harmful. Avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. Ultracet may cause drowsiness and these agents may worsen this effect.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about Ultracet.