Ultram ER - an overview
Ultram ER is an analgesic that acts like a narcotic. It is prescribed to treat pain that is moderate to sever. The active ingredient, Tramadol, is also the generic name for this medication. It is prescribed for the treatment of chronic pain that is moderate to severe and lasts throughout the day.
What it does
Each tablet of Ultram ER is coated with an extended release type of technology known as Smartcoat. This allows you to have around the clock pain relief for pain that is chronic and long lasting. Smartcoat releases the pain medication called tramadol into the body steadily for consistent pain relief of pain throughout the night and day.
This formula holds a patent and is different than short acting medications that have to be taken many times a day by providing:
Smartcoat technology offers constant pain relief
An easy to remember schedule for dosing; one time a day at the same time daily
The convenience of taking it without or with food
Ultram ER is prescribed to treat chronic pain that is moderate to moderately severe in adults. It is prescribed to those that need long acting, day and night treatment for their pain for long periods of time.
Secondary Effects
Secondary effects with Ultram ER include: vomiting, nausea, constipation, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness or drowsiness. Many of these effects will likely go away with continued use. If you notice that these secondary effects become worse or do not go away, you should call your health care provider right away.
In order to help prevent constipation, it is recommended that you maintain a healthy diet high in fiber, exercise and drink lots of water. You may want to ask your health care provider about which laxative will be best for you.
In order to help prevent lightheadedness and dizziness, you should rise slowly when getting up from lying or sitting down.
Keep in mind that your health care provider has prescribed you this medicine because it has been judged that your benefits will far outweigh the risks for secondary effects. Many people that take this medicine never notice any serious secondary effects.
Possible Interactions
Some drugs have the potential to have negative effects if other medications, supplements of herbal supplements are taken while being treated with a medication. These changes can increase the risk of serious secondary effects or can cause your medications to not work the way they were intended. There is the potential for interactions, but they don't always happen. Your health care provider can help to manage or prevent potential interactions by changing the medications you take and by monitoring you closely.
Some of the products that have the potential to interact with this medication may include: analgesics that include nalbuphine, butorphanol or pentazocine; narcotic antagonists; MAOIs that are taken during treatment with Ultram ER and for two weeks before or after. There is the potential for a potentially fatal interaction.
