Pain Channel
Topics & Medications
Quicklinks
Related Channels
Tramadol/Acetaminophen
from eMedTV.comGeneral considerations for when and how to take tramadol/acetaminophen include the following:
- The medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth as frequently as every four to six hours as needed for pain (up to a certain maximum dose per day).
- Be careful not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dose, as this could lead to overdose symptoms or to poisoning from the acetaminophen component, which can cause liver failure.
- Tramadol/acetaminophen is taken on an "as needed" basis. "As needed" means you will only take a dose if you are experiencing pain (if you are not in pain, you will skip the dose).
- It does not matter if you take tramadol/acetaminophen with or without food, although food may slightly delay the pain-relieving effects of tramadol/acetaminophen. If the drug bothers your stomach, try taking it with a meal or a snack.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not increase your dose without your healthcare provider's approval. If you have been taking tramadol/acetaminophen for quite a while, do not stop taking it suddenly without your healthcare provider's supervision (see Ultracet Withdrawal).
The dose of tramadol/acetaminophen that your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- The severity of your pain
- How sensitive you are to tramadol/acetaminophen
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
(Click Tramadol/Acetaminophen Dosage for more information.)
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD