Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Learn how to use the medication, its common side effects, special precautions to watch out for, and more.
Tramadol is used for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. Tramadol acts on the brain and spinal cord to reduce the amount of pain you experience.
Inform your healthcare professional if:
The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:
If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately.
Very rarely, a condition known as serotonin syndrome may happen when tramadol is taken with certain medications such as those used in treating depression. This can cause serious health problems that may sometimes be life-threatening. Consult a doctor immediately if you experience confusion, hallucinations, muscle stiffness, severe diarrhea or headache.
Avoid taking alcohol with tramadol as it may cause excessive drowsiness. If you are taking Ultracet, which is a combination of tramadol and paracetamol, do not take more paracetamol-containing products.
Avoid taking tramadol with other medications that may cause drowsiness e.g. sleeping pills without checking with your doctor first.
Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.
Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.
If you take more than the recommended dose, please seek medical advice immediately. The information provided on this page does not replace information from your healthcare professional. Please consult your healthcare professional for more information.
This article is jointly developed by members of the National Medication Information workgroup. The workgroup consists of cluster partners (National Healthcare Group, National University Health System and SingHealth), community pharmacies (Guardian, Unity and Watsons) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore. The content does not reflect drug availability and supply information in pharmacies and healthcare institutions. You are advised to check with the respective institutions for such information.
Last updated on March 2025.
This article was last reviewed on Tuesday, March 25, 2025