Ultram® (tramadol)

Ultram is a prescription pain medication used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It may be prescribed to help people with migraine to relieve their pain. Ultram is an opiate agonist and is believed to work on opioid receptors in the central nervous system. In addition to central opiate receptor agonist activity, tramadol also inhibits norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake inhibition in the central nervous system. This is thought to decrease the brain’s perception of pain, while increasing a person’s tolerance for pain.

Response from the community: Was Ultram effective in relieving your migraine symptoms?

We’ve asked community members how effective they felt Ultram was in relieving their migraine symptoms. Many people (31%) responded that Ultram reduced their symptoms significantly, and it eliminated all symptoms for 13% of respondents. However, 22% experienced no relief with Ultram, and another 20% said the medication only slightly eased their migraine symptoms.

Was Ultram (tramadol) effective in relieving your migraine symptoms?(2,284 total votes)

• Not at all (22% | 505 Votes)
• Slightly eased symptoms (20% | 466 Votes)
• Cut symptoms in half (14% | 311 Votes)
• Reduced symptoms significantly (31% | 708 Votes)
• Eliminated all symptoms (13% | 294 Votes)

Possible side effects of Ultram

Ultram comes with the strongest warning from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) because, as an opiate, it can be addicting and may lead to abuse or misuse. Ultram may also cause a serious or even life-threatening decrease in respiration (breathing). This can be especially serious and potentially fatal in children.

Use of Ultram in combination with benzodiazepines or central nervous system depressants, including alcohol, can result in a dangerous sedation that may lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death.

The most common side effects experienced with Ultram include:

• Difficulty falling sleep or staying asleep
• Dizziness
• Sleepiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Headache
• Nervousness
• Agitation
• Heartburn or indigestion
• Itching
• Sweating
• Chills
• Dry mouth
• Uncontrollable shaking of a body part
• Muscle tightness
• Moodiness
• Diarrhea or constipation

Response from the community: How would you rate the side effects you experienced with Ultram?

The majority of our community members experienced none or slight discomfort from side effects with Ultram, and only 5% said they will not use Ultram due to the side effects they experienced.

How would you rate the side effects you experienced with Ultram (tramadol)? (1,699 total votes)

• No side effects (47% | 798 Votes)
• Slight discomfort from side effects (28% | 471 Votes)
• Noticeable side effects (14% | 237 Votes)
• Side effects will limit my use (6% | 109 Votes)
• Will not use due to side effects (5% | 84 Votes)

Other things to know about Ultram

Ultram should not be used in children younger than 12.

Talk to your doctor about all your health conditions prior to taking Ultram. Ultram should not be used in people with conditions such as:

• Significant respiratory depression (breathing problems)
• Acute or severe asthma
• Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction
• Allergy to tramadol

Before taking Ultram, talk to your doctor about all medications (prescription and over-the-counter), supplements, and herbs you are taking. Ultram should not be taken in combination with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or plan to become pregnant or breastfeed, talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks to you and your child before using Ultram.