What is Ultram?

By Superdork Ultram, also called Tramadol, is a good analgesic designed to treat moderate to severe pain.

[Bikerhoney]

Ultram/Tramadol is used to tread mild to moderate pain. I have been on it for a very long time, it's the stuff Doctors hand out because they don't want to give out narcotics. If you are in severe pain you might as well forget even taking tramadol, because it won't work. When I have really bad days (pain wise) I have to go into the ER to get a shot of morphine. My Doctor was giving me perc's for bad days, but he quit because he said that the DEA won't hassle the Hospitals like they do the Doctors. They do work very well for mild pain. And if you take them with a muscle relaxer like I do, they are even more likely to kill pain.

Bikerhoney

[Bikerhoney]

I'm not too sure why you (Timmytots) posted Get healthy. If it was directed toward me, I am healthy and what does this have to do with the subject? If you came in here just to try and promote some health nut business, you came to the wrong place. So stick it where the sun don't shine!

Bikerhoney

[Carol]

Bikerhoney wrote:

I'm not too sure why you (Timmytots) posted Get healthy. If it was directed toward me, I am healthy and what does this have to do with the subject? If you came in here just to try and promote some health nut business, you came to the wrong place. So stick it where the sun don't shine!
Bikerhoney

I suffer from pain very very bad pain I take ultrim I also tak ant-seizure medication. This has help more then even oxycotins Pain hits like a seizure and now is believed to be one. Talk with your doctor this will help I promise!!!!!!

[Deborah]

Ultram/Tramadol is highly addictive. Just because it may not be considered a narcotic, do research and look for forums about this drug where people are taking 20 or more a day and want to stop and cant.The Dr had me taken those and as soon as I did research and googled and found out the addiction that occures I stopped taking that med. You think it's safe and it is not.

[Ultram being addictive]

Everyone's response to any given medication is going to be different. Is ultram, tramadol addictive?.... not in the sense that one would typically suffer from withdrawls when ceasing it. But as with any medication, even aspirin, for those that use it regularly, there could be psychological dependency issues.
It is possible, if one were to be on very large doses of tramadol hcl, way above recommended doses, for long periods of time, to have some minor withdrawl symptoms I would imagine, but likely they would be psychological withdrawl symptoms more than physical ones. There are some physicians I work with that have indicated that patients have exhibited drug seeking behavior to mild degrees with tramadol, however not often and not with those one would think typical of drug seeking patients , usually long term elderly patients with perhaps osteoarthritis.
So while I am willing to concede that ultram may have some abuse potential, I would not at all charactize it as "Highly Addictive" as previous posters have described.
My comments above are anecdotal, so to back it up, lets look at some research. There have been no instances reported to the DEA suggesting it should be scheduled as a controlled substance. Additionally, tramadol's chemical affinity for the mu1 receptor is mild at best with no affinity found for mu2, kappa1 or kappa2. So there really are not many opiate receptors in the nervous system for tramadol to bind with and thus have any strong effect.
Where tramadol has been found to be abused is when someone has a substance abuse problem with a controlled substance like hydrocodone or oxycodone and their supply of that particular drug has become unavailable. In an attempt to stave off withdrawl, with this population who has an opiate habit, there have been reports of this group trying to use tramadol. It may indeed help to a small degree when one is in withdrawl from a true opiate, however only to a minimal degree. This population of abuser often will take much more than the recommended dose of tramadol, reducing the bodies natural seizure threshold resulting in convulsions.
Having said all this, it is my opinion that ultram is a much safer medication, used for mild to moderate somatic pain, than opiates. In double blind control group studies, it has been shown to be nearly as effective as synthetic opiods like propoxyphene, ie. darvon, darvocet, wygesic, and somewhat less effective than codeine phosphate ie. tylenol3 etc.
I trust I have not been too long winded so that I bored anyone that read this far, I do think that ultram and ultracet are good medications to have in our arsenal of pain prepartions. In this day and age when public policy is discouraging the prescribing of DEA controlled medications for pain management, ultram may be a good choice for those that tolerate it well and that it is effective for.
Again, as with any medication, everyone is different and everyone's response to any given medication may vary. For some, ultram may be more effective than hydrocodone. for some it may not work well at all. These are things one needs to discuss with their personal physician.
Wishing all a wonderful holiday season.

[charlotte jeffries]

For what reason would you treat someone with ultram instead of ultraset

[Sharon]

What does one take if they are in pain? I have been in pain since September after cervical spine surgery which caused more pain than had before the surgery. My doctor will give me lortabs and I only take 1/2 - 1 a day, in the morning when the pain is worse. I took ultram before my surgery and it worked but for some reason the doctor gives me lortab and only 20 at a time, which is expensive when you have to return for another visit after 10 days. I feel like I am in a nightmare.

[educationfyi]

Ultram will do what is needed. However, you must never stray away from the prescribed dosage and per day amount. If you exceed your amounts, and you are left without any for a period of 4-5 days - look out. Horrible insomnia, muscle cramping, tension and a piss poor attitude. Overall, the tension coupled with insomnia was god awful. I stretched, drank tons of water, did whatever and still couldn't sleep. If you find yourself craving more or your pain is still too much, please consult your physician about your issues with Ultram. It is non-narcotic, but it's make up and tendencies would cause you to think otherwise.

[Martha]

I hope someone can answer this question for me. I have had chronic pain for the last 8 years. I have been taking Ultram for the last 3 months. Why is it when you do a urine drug test, you test positive for morphine? I remember hearing a while ago that Ultram is a distant cousin to morphine. Could this be the reason??? Thanks. This is my first time here.

[Paul]

www.opioids.com all your opioid questions will be answered.

[Marie in Houston]

Jake wrote:

Ultram (active ingredient – tramadol hcl http://www.originaldrugs.com/tramadol.shtml ) is an opioid analgesic, because its mechanism of action includes the activation of opioid receptors). However is has lower addiction potential than narcotic analgesics. Most cases of the medication addiction occurs with the long-term use of doses higher than recommended dose.
You can initially try the dose lower than prescribed to fix the lowest effective dose.

I was on hydocodine for 12 years and built up to 10 (7.5) in the last 4 years. I did a cold turkey detox and laid in the back room on a couch for 10 days. The doctor gave me just on 50mg on Ultram and all the pain is gone. Is this drug really better? It is working so well but this is hard to believe this is all it took after all these years. I am sorry to sound silly but I did pray each time a ran out of pain pills due to family members taking them even if it left me in pain I wonder if my pain was not as bad as I thought or is this drug just as powerful. HELP with more information. PS Family members are no longer coming to see me. Gee, I wonder why? Marie

[Marie in Houston]

I posedt about how strong Ultram really is after what (Jake) wrote. Anyone out there that can answer? It is a better choice than 10 (7.5) hydrocodine pills? Right?

[XYZ]

People saying that Ultram is only "psychologically" addictive have obviously never been on it. Someone who's been on Ultram off and on for several years, I have experienced horrible withdrawals. I did not self-medicate, I took the dose prescribed. Never more than 8 a day. However, since Ultram also has SSRI (anti-depressant) properties, when you've been taking it a sufficient amount of time and then stop, not only do you go through opiate withdrawals but you ALSO go through SSRI withdrawals. Think of it as going through a codeine withdrawal and a Paxil withdrawal at the SAME time. People do not realize how horrible the withdrawals can be.

[hotmommahb]

Politics is the only reason tramadol/ultram isn't scheduled... because its mu-1 agonist properties is similar to that of morphine. I am glad it isn't scheduled tho :0)
Tramadol IS a narcotic in that it is opioid/opiate. It binds the mu-1 receptor... just like morphine. So that is why you have withdrawal type symptoms if you take more than the reccommended amount and then stop abruptly. It produces

Supposedly the reason why tramadol is not a "controlled" substance is because it has weak 5ht (serotonin) and NE (norepi) reuptake inhibition. The neurochemicals stay in the synapse longer...which some say make addiction less likely. 5-ht inhibition also makes people feel happier (its a pr0zac nation). NE or noradrenaline/norepinepherine reuptake inhibition is believed to make it harder to get addicted to.

The 5ht and NE's reuptake inhibition also helps with pain relief. Of course the mu binding part of tramadol accounts for its opiate type relief.

While tramadol isn't considered "controlled" (scheduled)... some states (OHIO at least)have pharmacies record it as tho it were.

Being a nerd who always reads Rx sample inserts (you laugh, but this helped me DRAMATICALLY during med school pharmacology!), Tramadol can cause dependence of the morphine type.

Bottom line, it is a safER alternative to traditional opiates, but don't be lulled into the belief that you can't become dependent or addicted to it becase you can!

It is really effective at pain relief! Just don't take too much.

[KAT]

I'VE BEEN LOOKING TO TELL MY STORY SOMEWHERE AND I THINK THIS IS A GOOD PLACE. I HAD BEEN TAKING HYDRO'S 10MG 100MG A DAY FOR 2 YRS. PLEASE DON'T GET THE WRONG IDEA, I GOT THEM FROM MY DR. SHE JUST KEPT UPPING THE AMOUNT WHEN I SAID THEY WEREN'T WORKING. WHEN I REALIZED I WAS HOOKED ON THESE THINGS I WANTED TO STOP. SO I DID. I WAS NEVER SO SICK IN ALL MY LIFE! 3 WEEKS ON THE COUCH WITH EVERYTHING FROM THE CHILLS TO VOMITTING, I CAN'T EVEN EXPLAIN HOW BAD I FELT. I THOUGHT I WAS DYING. WELL I FINALY GOT THROUGH IT. THEN I HAD SURGEY. YUP YOU GUESSED IT I GOT HOOKED AGAIN. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT. WELL I JUST GOT OFF THIS PAST FRI. I WEENED DOWN AND THEN MY DR GAVE ME TRAMADOL. WELL IT HAS BEEN A GODSEND TO ME. I DIDN'T FEEL SICK AT ALL . I WAS EXPECTING THE WORST LIKE LAST TIME AND NOTHING. I AM SO THANKFUL, AND I SWEAR I WILL NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. I JUST THOUGHTI WOULD LET YOU KNOW HOW WELL TRAMADOL HELPED WITHTHE WITHDRAWL FROM THE LORTAB. MAYBE IT WILL HELP SOMEONE ELSE WHO IS TRYING TO STOP BUT IS AFRAID OF THE WITHDRAWL. IT REALLY WAS A MIRRACLE WORKER FOR ME.

[Mesmer]

I have been taking only a small dose of Ultram for 5 months (50-100mg a day). I am trying to get off of it. I have been weaning myself off slowly, going from one pill then yesterday I only had a half of a pill and today I want to die!!!! It's not like I was taking 10 a day! Only 1 pill a day and I am having HORRIBLE withdrawel. I feel like suing the doctor who very flippantly prescribed this pill over the phone and told me it was safe. Does anyone know how long these withdrawel symptoms last on people who were only taking very little?

[Arrow]

Mesmer wrote:

I have been taking only a small dose of Ultram for 5 months (50-100mg a day). I am trying to get off of it. I have been weaning myself off slowly, going from one pill then yesterday I only had a half of a pill and today I want to die!!!! It's not like I was taking 10 a day! Only 1 pill a day and I am having HORRIBLE withdrawel. I feel like suing the doctor who very flippantly prescribed this pill over the phone and told me it was safe. Does anyone know how long these withdrawel symptoms last on people who were only taking very little?

Mesmer, if your dosage has only been 50 to 100 mg a day, you should experience some muscle pain that may cause some sleeplessness. But, this should only last for about four to five days. Once the muscle pain subsides, you should start to feel normal again.

I have been taking ultram for seven years. I have always taken 50 mg a day, sometimes 100mg on bad days (Chronic back pain). About two times a year, I stop taking the pill cold turkey to test the "withdrawal" effects upon my body. Nothing real serious. Just muscle pain. The drug, contrary to some here, is a synthetic analgesic and IS non-narocotic in that ultram does not localize like narocotics do, or are supposed to do. It is not addictive but, you can become very dependent upon it. There is a difference between addiction and dependence.

One must remember that this drug is designed to fool you into thinking you are not experiencing any pain as opposed to actually deadening the pain. The tradeoff in taken ultram is that you trade the risk of addition for overextending yourself. The danger of never feeling pain is that you have no safety mechanism to tell you when you are bruising your body and therefore, to stop what it is you are doing or to slow at the very least.

It is good to go off the drug every once in awhile to see what your body is telling you. Things can develop that you may never become aware of because you are never feeling any pain when on this drug. Like I said earlier, it does not localize to just the troubled area. It spreads all over, hence, the "happy feeling" or a "false sense of well being" you feel while on it.

[aLifeUncommon]

Deborah wrote:

Ultram/Tramadol is highly addictive. Just because it may not be considered a narcotic, do research and look for forums about this drug where people are taking 20 or more a day and want to stop and cant.The Dr had me taken those and as soon as I did research and googled and found out the addiction that occures I stopped taking that med. You think it's safe and it is not.

Ultram is the least addictive of all pain medications.
While ANY pain medication taken chronically can lead to addiction, it's less likely to happen with Ultram.
Remember when doing online searches to make sure the information you read has been verified and accurate.

As an NP in chronic pain management, I've only come across 1 patient with an Ultram addiction.

[aLifeUncommon]

hotmommahb wrote:

Politics is the only reason tramadol/ultram isn't scheduled... because its mu-1 agonist properties is similar to that of morphine. I am glad it isn't scheduled tho :0)
Tramadol IS a narcotic in that it is opioid/opiate. It binds the mu-1 receptor... just like morphine. So that is why you have withdrawal type symptoms if you take more than the reccommended amount and then stop abruptly. It produces
Supposedly the reason why tramadol is not a "controlled" substance is because it has weak 5ht (serotonin) and NE (norepi) reuptake inhibition. The neurochemicals stay in the synapse longer...which some say make addiction less likely. 5-ht inhibition also makes people feel happier (its a pr0zac nation). NE or noradrenaline/norepinepherine reuptake inhibition is believed to make it harder to get addicted to.
The 5ht and NE's reuptake inhibition also helps with pain relief. Of course the mu binding part of tramadol accounts for its opiate type relief.
While tramadol isn't considered "controlled" (scheduled)... some states (OHIO at least)have pharmacies record it as tho it were.
Being a nerd who always reads Rx sample inserts (you laugh, but this helped me DRAMATICALLY during med school pharmacology!), Tramadol can cause dependence of the morphine type.
Bottom line, it is a safER alternative to traditional opiates, but don't be lulled into the belief that you can't become dependent or addicted to it becase you can!
It is really effective at pain relief! Just don't take too much.

Incorrect. Ultram is NOT a narcotic medication. It is an analgesic that works like a narcotic without the same properties of narcotic medications.
Receptors and such. It's NOT controlled for a reason. That reason being, it does NOT have the same properties as narcotic medications, merely the same function.

[Lacey]

Martha wrote:

I hope someone can answer this question for me. I have had chronic pain for the last 8 years. I have been taking Ultram for the last 3 months. Why is it when you do a urine drug test, you test positive for morphine? I remember hearing a while ago that Ultram is a distant cousin to morphine. Could this be the reason??? Thanks. This is my first time here.

Marta, there is no way to test positive for morphine if you are on Ultram. I was in a drug program for 3 years and took Ultram the whole time and never once tested positive. They actually have to have a panel test to detect Ultram. If you are an addict and thinking about taking Ultram, don't!! You will be in pure HELL, as I am in withdrawal from them now.And they don't even give you an opiod experience after so long. Your body and MIND just need them to get by. And then needs more & more, you know the drill. I have went off them several times and I know for a fact when you take more than prescribed,my body actually hurt worse, but my mind wouldn't stop me from wanting to pop yet another one.Even remembering all the horror stories about convulsions. You know the "it will never happen to me" syndrome. Good Luck!