Ultracet is a unique pain medication that combines tramadol, a leading prescription pain reliever, and acetaminophen, the most commonly recommended over-the-counter analgesic in the U.S. Ultracet treats your kind of acute pain. Ultracet has been approved for the short-term (five days or less) management of acute pain. Ultracet provides powerful relief from many kinds of acute pain, including joint pain, strains and sprains, post-operative recuperation, joint pain flares (i.e., associated with osteoarthritis) and muscle aches. Ask your physician if Ultracet is right for your kind of acute pain.

What makes Ultracet different?
Ultracet is different from aspirin and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (also known as NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, Celebrex®, or Vioxx®. Ultracet offers effective pain relief with fewer prostaglandin-related side-effects that interfere with other treatments. That means it may be a good choice if you are at risk of stomach ulcers, because Ultracet has not been associated with ulcers or stomach bleeding in medical studies. In addition, Ultracet does not impair kidney function or interact with many blood pressure medications. And if you are at risk of kidney problems, Ultracet does not affect the hormone-like system that helps keep your kidneys working normally. However, your physician may need to adjust your dose of Ultracet if your kidney function is below normal

How does Ultracet work?
Ultracet provides effective pain relief in two important ways. First, laboratory studies suggest that Ultracet reduces the amount of pain you feel by acting directly on the parts of the brain where pain is perceived and on the spinal cord where pain signals are transmitted. Second, Ultracet reduces the size of the pain signal passed from one nerve to another.

How should I take Ultracet?
Ultracet may be taken with or without food. You will get the best pain relief by following your doctor's instructions and taking Ultracet as it was prescribed for your kind of pain panagement program. You should not take more than the dose prescribed, and you should never take more than 2 Ultracet tablets in a 4-hour period with a maximum of 8 tablets per day. 

Are there reasons I should not take Ultracet?
If you have a history of severe, life-threatening allergic (anaphylactoid) reactions to codeine and other opioids, you may be at increased risk and, therefore, should not take Ultracet pain medication. Cases of abuse and dependence on tramadol (one of the components of Ultracet) have been reported. Ultracet should not be used in people who are opioid-dependent. Since Ultracet can reinitiate physical dependence, it is not recommended if you have a tendency to abuse drugs, a history of drug dependence, or chronically use opioids. Speak with your doctor if you may be pregnant, or are trying to become pregnant, before using Ultracet. Safe use during pregnancy has not been established.  If you have liver disease, the use of Ultracet is not recommended.

Can I take Ultracet with other medications?
Do not take Ultracet with other products containing acetaminophen or with products containing tramadol. To avoid taking too much acetaminophen or other commonly found pain relief medication, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking.  For more information on what's in your pain relief medication and how to make sure you are getting the right amount, ask your doctor. In addition, there are certain medications that should be used with caution while taking Ultracet. These include tranquilizers, sleeping pills, antidepressants, and opioid pain medicines.  Speak with your doctor and pharmacist about all other medicines you are taking before starting your prescription for Ultracet. This includes all prescriptions, over the counter, and herbal medications you may be taking for any conditions such as back pain, arthritis, bursitis, sciatica, chronic pain, shingles, root canal surgery or any other condition or procedure. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies, or if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any medicine. Report any unusual developments or problems that may appear.

Can I take Ultracet and drink alcohol?
Ultracet should not be used with alcohol

Does Ultracet have side effects?
All medicines, including Ultracet, can cause side effects. People who experienced side effects with Ultracet in medical studies usually did so at the beginning of treatment. The most frequently reported side effects were constipation, sleepiness, and sweating. You should speak with your doctor about any side effects you experience while taking Ultracet. Ultracet may impair your ability to drive a car or operate machinery.

Some people who have taken tramadol, one of the components of Ultracet, have reported seizures. The risk of seizures is increased with doses of tramadol above the recommended range. Tramadol increases the seizure risk in people taking certain medications (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, SSRIs, opioids). Tramadol may enhance the seizure risk in people taking MAO inhibitors, neuroleptics, or other drugs that reduce the seizure threshold or in people with epilepsy, those with a history of seizures, or in people with a recognized risk for seizure (such as head trauma, metabolic disorders, alcohol and drug withdrawal, CNS infections).

Withdrawal symptoms may occur if Ultracet is discontinued abruptly. Speak with your doctor if you experience any side effects (e.g., sweating, anxiety, difficulty sleeping) from discontinuing Ultracet.

How should Ultracet be stored?
Ultracet should be stored at room temperature away from heat and direct light. Ultracet pain medication should be kept in the same container in which you received it from the pharmacy and kept out of the reach of children