Ultram (Tramadol) is a “narcotic like” pain reliever. It is a synthetic analgesic that is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Its mechanism of action is not entirely know, even by the scientific community but it is thought to work like morphine does. That means like morphine (and other opiods) it binds to receptors in the brain that send the sensation of pain to all the areas of the body. It is usually prescribed for pain secondary to arthritis/osteoporosis and back pain. Because it works like this along with being similar to morphine, it is very easy to be abused. You should not take Tramadol if you have ever had a drug or alcohol addiction problem as it has a high likelihood for abuse.

Tramadol should be taken exactly as your doctor prescribes it for you. Exactly as it is prescribed, you should not take any more for any reason. It is usually prescribed to be taken every four to six hours as needed to treat pain. The drug is highly habit forming so if you are taking it for an extended period of time you may build up a tolerance to it. This means that it will not work as well as it did when you first started to take it. Speak to your doctor if this happens, as he may need to change the dose or change your medication all together.

Ultram can cause several side effects, things like dizziness, weakness, stomach upset, nausea/vomiting, constipation, headaches, anxiety, dry mouth, increased sweating and irritability. If these side effects persist past when you first start on the drug or get worse let your doctor know. There are also some more serious side effects that Tramadol may cause. These include chest pain, rashes, itching, confusion, disorientation, seizures, fast heart rate, tingling of the hands and/or feet and trouble breathing.

Ultram works the best if you take it at the first sign of pain, if you wait until the pain gets severe the drug will not work as well to relieve it. This medication can also cause withdrawal reactions if you have been taking it for a while or in high doses and your suddenly stop. If you wish to stop taking the drug and you have been taking it regularly for a while speak to your doctor who will adjust your dosage schedule so you do not suffer from withdrawal. Symptoms of withdrawal include anxiety, sweating, insomnia, shaking, diarrhea and rapid breathing. The maximum dose you should take daily, when prescribed by a doctor is 400 milligrams a day total.

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