Medications used to treat moderate to severe pain

Tramadol, also sold under brand names Ultram and Ultram ER, is a narcotic analgesic used to treat moderate to severe pain The extended-release (ER) version is used for chronic pain that requires 24-hour service to deal with. There might be other uses for this medication.

Before taking Tramadol, it is important to discuss with your doctor if you have ever been addicted to drugs or alcohol. This is important because Tramadol should not be adopted when one is drunk or those who recently have used drugs such as alcohol, other narcotic painkillers, drugs for treating depression or anxiety, tranquilizers such as Valium, a medication to treat mental illness, such as schizophrenia, or street drugs.

Furthermore, although the risk of seizure is present for all users of Tramadol, this risk can be significantly higher in patients who have certain medical conditions. For this reason it is important that you tell your doctor if you suffer from any of the following conditions: a history of drug abuse, epilepsy or seizures, previous head injury, or a metabolic disease.
Other conditions that can make Tramadol contraindicated kidney disease, liver disease, a disorder of the stomach, or a history of depression or mental illness.

If you are pregnant and considering Tramadol is important to know that the drug is in pregnancy category C. This means that the medication may be harmful to an unborn baby, and may also lead to serious - even fatal - side effects in a newborn when administered to the mother during pregnancy or childbirth. Also note that Tramadol can enter a mother breast milk and can harm a nursing baby.

Age is a factor in the suitability of a patient Tramadol too. It should not be given to persons younger than 16 years, and 65 seniors a lower-than-usual dose can be recommended. Finally, take Tramadol exactly as prescribed. Take it with a full glass of water and not crush the tablet. You can take it with or without food, but any way you choose, be sure to take it the same way every time.