Ultram

(tramadol)

●●●●●
3.4/ 5 average rating with 642 reviewsfortramadol
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Treats moderate to severe pain.

Skip Upsides & Downsides section. Skip to side effects section.
Prescription opioids are used to treat several kinds of pain - but they carry significant risks, including addiction. Learn more about these drugs and be sure to discuss the risks with your doctor.

Our bottom line

Ultram (tramadol) works well for pain. Although it's a little weaker than other opioids, it can still be addictive.

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Quick facts about tramadol
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (tramadol)

Upsides

  • Relieves moderate to severe pain. It has been shown to work as well as other opioid pain medications.
  • Compared to typical opioids, it provides unique pain relief and effects on your mood when taken regularly.
  • Has a lower chance of causing breathing problems compared to other typical opioids.
  • Doesn't cause as much constipation as other opioid pain medicines. Staying hydrated and taking laxatives can help treat this side effect.
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What to expect from tramadol, on one page

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People’s experience with tramadol

642reviews so far. What do you think?

Downsides

  • Some people think it's weaker than other opioid pain medications. It can also cause more upset stomach.
  • Like other opioid pain relievers, Ultram (tramadol) has a high risk of addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death.
  • The extended release version of Ultram (tramadol) should only be used for severe pain that requires daily, around-the-clock treatment once alternative treatments haven't worked.
  • It's a controlled substance regulated by the federal government. This means that your use of Ultram (tramadol) will be tracked to prevent potential prescription abuse.
  • Like all opioids, don't use when pregnant, since the baby can become dependent on it and have withdrawal symptoms after birth.
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What to expect from tramadol, on one page

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How it works

Ultram (tramadol) is an opioid pain reliever. Researchers don't know exactly how it works, but it alters certain brain chemicals to lower pain perception and improve mood.

Quick facts about tramadol
  • Drug class: Pain
  • Rx status: Prescription only
  • Generic status: Lower-cost generic available (tramadol)

Used for

Dosage forms

  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Extended release capsule
  • Dissolving tablet
People’s experience with tramadol

642reviews so far. What do you think?

Prices and coupons

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What to expect when you take Ultram (tramadol) for Pain

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  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Effectiveness
  • Starts to kick in
    Full effects
  • First few hoursHours
    First few daysDays
    First few weeksWeeks
    First few monthsMonths
  • Possible side effects
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Constipation
  • Headache
  • Sleepiness
Skip side effects section. Skip to risks and warnings section.

Side effect rates for Ultram (tramadol)

From 427 clinical trials of tramadol when taken for pain
  • Dizziness
    26%26%
  • Nausea
    24%24%
  • Constipation
    24%24%
  • Headache
    18%18%
  • Sleepiness
    16%16%
  • Vomiting
    9%9%
  • Pruritus
    8%8%
  • CNS Stimulation
    7%7%
  • Asthenia
    6%6%
  • Sweating
    6%6%
  • Dyspepsia
    5%5%
  • Dry Mouth
    5%5%
  • Diarrhea
    5%5%
0%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
80%
Where we got our data »

The placebo bar shows how common a side effect was for people taking a sugar pill instead of tramadol.

Ultram (tramadol)
Placebo

People taking tramadol felt side effect more

People taking tramadol felt side effect less

No difference

Risks and Warnings for Ultram (tramadol)

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    • Higher risk if:
    • › Age 65 or greater
    • › Overdose
    • › Using alcohol, benzodiazepines or other medicines that slow breathing

    Taking too much Ultram (tramadol) can cause irregular or slow breathing that can result in coma and death. If your lips and fingers start turning blue from low oxygen, see a doctor immediately. In the hospital, doctors can give you a medicine that reverses the effects of Ultram (tramadol). Don't take more than your doctor prescribes. Always check with your doctor before starting any new medicines or supplements.

    This is a black box warning. The FDA requires this warning when there is a significant risk of serious or life-threatening effects that anyone taking the drug should consider.

Means that some groups have a high risk of experiencing this side effect

Common concerns from people taking Ultram (tramadol)

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Interactions
  • Ultram (tramadol) can interact with your other medicines, which can change how it affects your pain. Stopping these medicines while taking Ultram (tramadol) can make you more likely to have serious, life-threatening side effects. Make sure your doctor and pharmacist know all the medicines you're taking, and let them know of any changes.
Food
  • Take Ultram (tramadol) with food to avoid an upset stomach.
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Some hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 4/27/2017I took tramadol for years as a breakthrough medication for chronic pain. I suffer from lemierres syndrome and as a result ALL muscle had to be removed from my pelvis. I was given nucynta as an alternative (it's basically tramadol on steroids and still an opoid NOT and opiate) and it was much better. Unfortunately, nucynta does not have a generic version so my new insurance doesn't cover it. i was put back on tramadol and it does NOTHING to help.
    31
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Pain (moderate to moderately-severe)
Kidneys and liver
  • If you have liver or kidney disease, you may require a lower dose of Ultram (tramadol).
Pain
  • Relieves moderate to severe pain. It has been shown to work as well as other opioid pain medications.
  • The extended release version of Ultram (tramadol) should only be used for severe pain that requires daily, around-the-clock treatment once alternative treatments haven't worked.
  • Not worth it
    Worked so-so
    Big hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 12/21/2016Marginally effective in reducing pain after knee replacement. Had tremors, stomach upset, sleeplessness trying to stop the meds
    55
    Man
    Pain (moderate to moderately-severe)
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Reviewed tramadolon 2/22/2018Tylenol and Advil better pain management options
    55
    Woman
    Just as needed
    Would rather not say
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 9/28/2017Only thing that works for my back pain. I have osteoarthritis, spurs, a bulging L-5 disc. I manage with chiropractic care but when I get an acute flare-up I'll take 1 tablet.
    69
    Woman
    Just as needed
    Pain
Sleep
  • Not sure
    Didn’t work
    Low hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 9/29/2017It works for back pain, but not Fibro pain. Take 1 at a time with hours in between to avoid drowsiness. Do not take with muscle relaxers because this caused me to pass out.
    45
    Woman
    Just as needed
    Chronic pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 9/14/2017A good sleep aid
    26
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Chronic pain
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Low hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 3/31/2017Take with food as it may cause nausea on an empty stomach. Lower doses seem to act as a "pick-me-up", while higher doses cause drowsiness. Split your daily dose accordingly. ABSOLUTELY causes physical dependency after regular, long-term use. The withdraw is more mild than other opioids though, more uncomfortable than anything. Recommend stepping down over a period of weeks rather than stopping the medication altogether.
    30
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Pain (moderate to moderately-severe)
Weight
  • Not worth it
    Didn’t work
    Some hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 4/1/2017Didn't seem to get any relief or uphoria. Took it for years & had weight gain during this time. If it helped my mood I didn't notice.
    67
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Pain (moderate to moderately-severe)
  • Worth it
    Worked well
    Some hassle
    Reviewed tramadolon 1/13/2016Slows down my digestion enough that I have bloating when I eat sugar or dairy, in addition to opioid induced constipation
    31
    Woman
    Two years or more
    Chronic pain