Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: TRAMADOL (TRAM-a-dol)
This medicine is an analgesic used to treat moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in certain patients.
Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF you are taking carbamazepine, nefazodone, sodium oxybate (GHB), a thioxanthene (eg, thiothixene), or another product that contains tramadol. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking azole antifungals (eg, ketoconazole); linezolid; lithium; macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin); quinidine; selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) (eg, duloxetine); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine); St. John's wort; tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline); triptans (eg, sumatriptan); anorexiants (eg, phentermine); buytrophenones (eg, haloperidol); certain medicines for mental or mood disorders (eg, olanzapine); cyclobenzaprine; furazolidone; loxapine; monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine, selegiline); molindone; other opioid pain medicine (eg, codeine, hydrocodone); phenothiazines (eg, promethazine); tiagabine; rifampin; anticoagulants (eg, warfarin); or digoxin. DO NOT START OR STOP any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, including if you have liver, kidney, or thyroid problems; a blockage in the bladder; diabetes; heart problems; high blood pressure; prostate problems; metabolism problems; a recent head injury, brain injury, tumor, increased pressure in the brain, or infection of the brain or nervous system; a history of diarrhea caused by antibiotic use; recent stomach or bowel surgery; stomach or bowel problems (eg, pain, inflammation, ulcers); a history of lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]); a seizure disorder (eg, epilepsy); allergies; pregnancy; or breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are going through withdrawal from alcohol or other substances or if you have a history of alcohol or other substance abuse, mood or mental problems (eg, depression), or suicidal thoughts or actions. USE OF THIS MEDICINE IS NOT RECOMMENDED if you have had a severe allergic reaction (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue) to codeine or other opioids (eg, morphine); you are intoxicated with alcohol, other opioids or narcotics (eg, codeine, morphine), sedatives or sleeping medicines (eg, temazepam, zolpidem), or other medicines; or if you have severe liver or kidney problems. Use of this medicine in children under age 16 is not recommended. Discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of giving this medicine to your child. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about using this medicine.
Follow the directions for taking this medicine provided by your doctor. SWALLOW THIS MEDICINE WHOLE. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing. TAKE THIS MEDICINE with or without food. Try to take it the same way (either with food or without food) each time you take your dose. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about taking this medicine with food. STORE THIS MEDICINE at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. DO NOT take 2 doses at once.
DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you have had an allergic reaction to it or if you are allergic to any ingredient in this product. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE IF YOU HAVE HAD A SEVERE ALLERGIC REACTION to any morphine or codeine related medicine (eg, hydrocodone, oxycodone) without first talking with your doctor. A severe allergic reaction includes a severe rash, hives, breathing difficulties, or dizziness. If you have a question about whether you are allergic to this medicine or if a certain product contains any morphine or codeine related medicine, contact your doctor or pharmacist. 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 of this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. DO NOT EXCEED THE RECOMMENDED DOSE or take this medicine for longer than prescribed. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking this medicine for longer than prescribed may be habit-forming. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, DO NOT SUDDENLY STOP taking this medicine without your doctor's approval. Your dose may need to be slowly lowered to avoid side effects. When used for an extended period of time, this medicine may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medicine stops working well. DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN PRESCRIBED. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS, EMERGENCY CARE, OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using this medicine. DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking this medicine. THIS MEDICINE WILL ADD TO THE EFFECTS of alcohol and other medicines that may cause drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness. This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. DO NOT DRIVE, OPERATE MACHINERY, OR DO ANYTHING ELSE THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS until you know how you react to this medicine. Using this medicine alone, with other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase dizziness. IF DIZZINESS OCCURS, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of this effect. SEROTONIN SYNDROME is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by this medicine. Your risk may be greater if you take this medicine with certain other medicines (eg, triptans, MAOIs). Symptoms may include agitation; confusion; hallucinations; coma; fever; fast or irregular heartbeat; tremor; excessive sweating; and nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINES, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. CAUTION IS ADVISED WHEN USING THIS MEDICINE IN THE ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine, especially constipation, weakness or tiredness, severe lightheadedness, and indigestion. FOR WOMEN: THIS MEDICINE HAS BEEN SHOWN TO CAUSE HARM to the fetus. IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED in breast milk. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS that may occur while taking this medicine include constipation; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; headache; nausea; trouble sleeping; vomiting; or weakness. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CONTACT YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY if you experience agitation; chest pain; difficult or painful urination; disorientation; fainting; hallucinations; irregular heartbeat; loss of coordination; mood or mental changes (eg, depression); red, blistered, swollen, or peeling skin; seizures; or severe dizziness or lightheadedness. AN ALLERGIC REACTION to this medicine is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
IF OVERDOSE IS SUSPECTED, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include bluish skin; cold clammy skin; difficult or slow breathing; drowsiness leading to unresponsiveness or coma; excessive sweating; limp muscles; pinpoint pupils; seizures; or slow or irregular heartbeat.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children and pets. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out.