Do Ibuprofen and Tramadol Interact?
Tramadol hydrochloride (
Ultram®) is a prescription opioid pain reliever.
Ibuprofen (Advil
®,
Motrin®, Nuprin
®) is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (
NSAID) that is available both over-the-counter and with a prescription, depending on the strength. There is no significant drug interaction between
tramadol and ibuprofen.
Combining Tramadol and Ibuprofen
Combining these drugs can be advantageous in some situations. These two medications work differently to relieve pain, and combining them can provide additional pain relief for many people. In addition, adding ibuprofen provides an anti-inflammatory action that tramadol lacks. As a result, combining ibuprofen and tramadol may be useful in situations that involve inflammation, such as injuries.
Even though ibuprofen might seem like a harmless medication (after all, it is available without a prescription), there are reasons why some people should avoid taking it. For instance, ibuprofen may worsen
high blood pressure, may increase the risk of a
heart attack or
stroke, and may cause gastrointestinal bleeding or ulcers. Therefore, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before taking ibuprofen, even though it does not interact with tramadol. There may be other reasons why you should not take it.
In addition, it is a good idea to let your healthcare provider know if your current
tramadol dosage is not sufficiently relieving your pain. He or she may decide to increase your dosage, switch you to another medication, or add another medication (such as ibuprofen).
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