Category

• Analgesic

Description

Combination medicines containing opioid analgesics (nar-KOT-ik an-al-JEE-zicks) such as tramadol (TRA-ma-dole) and acetaminophen (a-seat-a-MIN-oh-fen) are used to relieve pain. An opioid analgesic and acetaminophen used together may provide better pain relief than either medicine used alone. In some cases, you may get relief with lower doses of each medicine.

Opioid analgesics act in the central nervous system (CNS) to relieve pain. Many of their side effects are also caused by actions in the CNS. When opioids are used for a long time, your body may get used to them so that larger amounts are needed to relieve pain. This is called tolerance to the medicine. Also, when opioids are used for a long time or in large doses, they may become habit-forming (causing mental or physical dependence). Physical dependence may lead to withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking the medicine.

Acetaminophen does not become habit-forming when taken for a long time but it may cause other unwanted effects, when taken in large doses including liver damage, if too much is taken.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription, in the following dosage form:

Oral
• Tablets (U.S.)

Brand Names

Some commonly used brand names are:

In the U.S.—

• Ultracet

† Not commercially available in Canada.