Ultram is prescribed to help people who are suffering from short term pain such as dental or out patient surgery. Ultram can also be an effective medication to treat many forms of arthritis pain.

Ultram is a prescription pain relief medication that is meant to help alleviate moderate to moderately severe pain. Ultram is a synthetic analgesic not an anti-inflammatory, which means that people who can't take anti-inflammatories due to their side effects, should be able to take Ultram to help relieve their pain. Ultram works in two different ways to relieve your pain, both of which are unlike a traditional anti-inflammatory such as ibuprofen. First studies have shown Ultram woks on certain parts of the brain and spinal column to relieve your pain. Secondly it reduces the size of the pain signal that is passed from one nerve to another. Treating chronic pain can be extremely difficult to treat for a number of reasons. Understanding exactly what is causing the pain can often be difficult to diagnose. The severity of the pain varies from individual to individual, and people respond differently to treatments. For people suffering chronic pain, Ultram maybe the perfect management solution to get back to living the kind of daily life you want.

For patients with moderate to moderately severe chronic pain not requiring rapid onset of analgesic effect, the tolerability of ULTRAM can be improved by initiating therapy with the following titration regimen: ULTRAM should be started at 25 mg/day qAM and titrated in 25 mg increments as separate doses every 3 days to reach 100 mg/day (25 mg q.i.d.). Thereafter the total daily dose may be increased by 50 mg as tolerated every 3 days to reach 200 mg/day (50 mg q.i.d.). After titration, ULTRAM 50 to 100 mg can be administered as needed for pain relief every 4 to 6 hours not to exceed 400 mg/day. For the subset of patients for whom rapid onset of analgesic effect is required and for whom the benefits outweigh the risk of discontinuation due to adverse events associated with higher initial doses, ULTRAM 50 mg to 100 mg can be administered as needed for pain relief every four to six hours, not to exceed 400 mg per day. For elderly patients over 75 years old, total dose should not exceed 300 mg/day.

Seizures have been reported as a rare side effect of treatment with tramadol. The risk of seizures may be increased in patients who take more than the prescribed dose, have a history of seizures or epilepsy, have head trauma, have a metabolic disorder, have a central nervous system infection, are experiencing alcohol or drug withdrawal, or are taking certain medications. Talk to your doctor about factors that may increase the risk of seizures during treatment.
Do not drink alcohol while taking tramadol. Alcohol may cause a dangerous decrease in breathing and/ or liver problems when used during treatment with tramadol.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Tramadol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. If the pain is not being controlled, talk to your doctor. Taking more than the prescribed amount of this medication could result in seizures or decreased breathing.

Take tramadol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Tramadol can be taken with or without food.
Side effects from treatment with tramadol may be decreased by a slow increase in dose, as directed by your doctor. The tablets can easily be broken in half at the score if needed. The maximum dose of tramadol for an average healthy adult is 100 mg per dose, every 4 to 6 hours, up to 400 mg per day. People over 75 years of age should not take more than 300 mg per day. People with liver or kidney disease may need lower daily doses. Follow your doctor's directions.
Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. If the pain is not being controlled, talk to your doctor. Taking more than the prescribed amount of this medication could result in seizures or decreased breathing.
Store tramadol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking tramadol and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); or
· seizures.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take tramadol and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness, drowsiness, or headache;
· nervousness, tremor, or anxiety;
· nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea; or
· itching, dry mouth, or sweating.
Tramadol is habit forming. Physical and/ or psychological dependence can occur, and withdrawal effects are possible if the medication is stopped suddenly after prolonged or high-dose treatment.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.