| Ultracet (U.S.N.L.M.) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Dosing: (Iritis, corneal abrasion.) | 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, not to exceed 8 tablets daily. | |
| Chem Specs | 37.5 mg of tramadol hydrochloride and 325 mg of acetaminophen. | |
| Quantities | Not approved for use for more than 5 days. Often prescribed on 24 or 48hr basis with no refills. (e.g. "16 (sixteen) tablets"). |
|
| Cost | 72.50 / 20 tablets generic | |
| Class | Synthetic μ-opioid receptor agonist (tramadol), Aniline analgesic (acetaminophen) Tramadol also acts as a weak serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. |
|
| Action | Synergistic pain relief. Each drug acting on a separate area of the nervous system. | |
| Usage | Moderate to moderatly severe pain relief. | |
| Caution | Acetaminophen related risk of acute liver failure in patients with underlying liver disease and alcohol use. Alcohol and other CNS depressants may cause additive CNS depression. See package insert information re hepatic and renal impairment, the elderly, and "ultra fast metabolizers". |
|
| Contraindications | Hypersensitivity to tramadol or acetaminophen. Patients with significant respiratory depression, severe bronchial asthma, gastrointestinal obstruction, using of monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) or use within the previous 14 days. |
|
| Pediatric use | Contraindicated for children under 12. | |
| Pregnancy | Fetotoxicity demonstrated in rats at doses equivalent to maximum human dosages. | |
| Tramadol acts on the opioid receptors through its major active metabolite desmetramadol, which has as much as 700-fold higher receptor affinity than tramadol. Desmetramadol activates opioid receptors with intrinsic activity similar to morphine. |
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| Schedule IV. Pain relief usually occurs within an hour with immediate-release formulation. |
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