Ultracet

Ultracet is a combination drug that contains an opioid pain reliever and a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in over-the-counter products. This prescription drug, which is approved to treat short-term pain, comes in tablet form and is taken every four to six hours as needed for pain. Potential side effects of Ultracet include nausea, diarrhea, and drowsiness.

 

What Is Ultracet?

Ultracet® (tramadol/acetaminophen) is a prescription pain medication approved for the short-term treatment of pain. This means that it should be used for only a short period of time (five days or fewer). Although the drug is not a controlled substance in the United States, it has some potential to be abused.
 
(Click Ultracet Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)
 

How Does It Work?

Ultracet contains two different medications: acetaminophen and tramadol hydrochloride. Tramadol is an opioid pain reliever. It is not entirely clear how tramadol works to relieve pain. One of the metabolites of Ultracet can bind to opioid receptors (much like morphine) and may also have effects on serotonin and norepinephrine (important brain chemicals).
 
Acetaminophen ("APAP") is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in non-prescription medications such as Tylenol®. "APAP" is an acronym for one of the chemical names for acetaminophen. Combining tramadol with acetaminophen helps improve Ultracet's effectiveness at relieving pain.
 

Who Makes Ultracet?

Brand-name Ultracet is made by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical, Inc. and Janssen Ortho, LLC. Generic versions are made by several different manufacturers.
 

When and How to Take It

General considerations for when and how to take Ultracet include the following:
 
  • The medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth as frequently as every four to six hours as needed for pain (up to a certain maximum dose per day).
     
  • Be careful not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dose, as this could lead to overdose symptoms or to poisoning from the acetaminophen component, which can cause liver failure.
     
  • Ultracet is taken on an "as needed" basis. "As needed" means you will only take a dose if you are experiencing pain (if you are not in pain, you will skip the dose).
     
  • You can take Ultracet with or without food, although food may slightly delay the pain-relieving effects of the drug. If the medication bothers your stomach, try taking it with a meal or a snack.
     
  • For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not increase your dose without your healthcare provider's approval. If you have been taking Ultracet for quite a while, do not stop taking it suddenly without your healthcare provider's supervision (see Ultracet Withdrawal).
     

Dosing Information

The dose of Ultracet your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • The severity of your pain
  • How sensitive you are to the drug
  • Other medications you are taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 
(Click Ultracet Dosage for more information.)
 

Side Effects of Ultracet

As with any medicine, Ultracet can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or can easily be treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
 
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
 
(Click Ultracet Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
 

Drug Interactions

Ultracet can potentially interact with several other medicines (see Ultracet Drug Interactions).
 

What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Ultracet?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this drug if you have:
 
  • Seizures or epilepsy
  • A history of drug or alcohol dependence
  • A head injury or high intracranial pressure
  • Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
  • Liver disease, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatitis
  • Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
     
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
 
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
 
(Click Ultracet Warnings and Precautions to learn more, including information on who should not take the drug.)
 

What If I Take an Overdose?

People who take too much Ultracet may have overdose symptoms that could include:
 
  • Extreme drowsiness, leading to coma
  • Cold, clammy skin
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Sweating
  • Liver failure
  • Seizures
  • Cardiac arrest
  • Death.
     
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
 
(Click Ultracet Overdose for more information.)
 

How Should Ultracet Be Stored?

Ultracet tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children. Because Ultracet can be abused, make sure to keep it in a safe place.
 

What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?

Ultracet is often prescribed "as needed," which means you do not need to take a dose if you do not feel pain. If you forget to take a dose and notice significant pain, take your missed dose right away. However, make sure to wait the recommended amount of time before the next dose.
 

Available Strengths

Ultracet tablets come in one strength -- 37.5 mg of tramadol hydrochloride and 325 mg of acetaminophen per tablet.
 

Generic Ultracet

Ultracet is available in generic form (see Generic Ultracet).
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;