Tramacet

21st May 2007 at 21:46 BST by Dr C.A.Jenner MB BS, FRCA. Permalink.

This article discusses the usage and related aspects of the medicine Tramacet.

Tramacet

Introduction

Tradamol is a type of medication used as an analgesic to relieve pain. Also referred to as a synthetic opioid, it is used for relief from moderate to severe pain.

This medicine was originally produced by a German pharmaceutical company, Grünenthal GmbH, under the name tarmadol. Today, this drug is available under various drug names, including Contramal, Lumidol, Siverol, Tiparol, Tradol, Tradolan, Tramacip, Tramal, Tramahexal, Tramedo, Ultram and Zydol.

The Working Principle

Tramacet contains two active ingredients, tramadol hydrochloride (37.5 mg) and paracetamol (325 mg), both of them being pain relieving agents. Read on for a brief description of each of these constituents and the effect they have.

i) Tramadol Hydrochloride

This ingredient is a painkiller belonging to the class of opioids. Related to morphine, opioid painkillers work by mimicking the action of naturally occurring pain-reducing chemicals called endorphins. The endorphins are found in the brain and spinal cord and reduce pain combining with opioid receptors.

Tradamol mimics the action of the natural endorphins by combining with the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, thus blocking the transmission of pain signals sent by the nerves to the brain.

ii) Paracetamol

Paracetamol is a non-opioid painkiller that is also used independently to relieve mild to moderate pain and to reduce fever.

Recent studies indicate that tramacet provides better pain relief than either tramadol or paracetamol alone. It is also characterized by a faster onset of action than tramadol and a longer duration of relief from paracetamol. As per experts, this drug also carries a lower risk of constipation, vomiting and other related symptoms.

Dosage Instructions

Tramacet can be administered in both manners, orally as well as by an injection. However, inspite of being an opioid, it will be only 10% as effective as morphine when given through an injection.

The dosage generally recommended for tramacet is one or two tablets, taken every four to six hours as needed for pain relief up to a maximum of eight tablets a day. However, the dose selection will vary if the patient is 65 years of age or older.

In addition, in patients with creatinine clearances of less than 30 mL/min, the dosing interval should be increased so that it does not exceed a maximum of two tablets every 12 hours.

Precautions

There are certain precautions and warnings that are important to be observed if you are on a prescription of tramacet. Here we list the most important precautions:

1. This medicine is likely to cause drowsiness. It is not advisable to operate machinery or drive. It is also important to avoid alcohol consumption.
2. An overdose of paracetamol can cause liver damage in alcohol drinkers and in people with alcoholic liver disease.
3. Do not consume more than the recommended dose stated on the product packaging.
4. Though quite rare, but in some cases withdrawal symptoms might appear once the medicine is stopped. These include feeling agitated, anxious, nervous or shaky. Contact your doctor if any of these persist for more than a few days.
5. Patients below 18 years of age should not be given this medicine.

In addition, tramacet should be used with caution in the following cases:

• Decreased kidney function
• Diseases of bile ducts
• History of fits or seizures
• Impaired ability to breath
• Impaired consciousness
• People over 75 years of age
• Moderately decreased liver function
• Decreased blood flow to vital organs
• Pregnant and lactating mothers

Side Effects

Side effects that occur with the consumption of tramacet may vary amongst different individuals. Here we list some of the most common side-effects associated to this particular drug.

• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Mood swings
• Confusion
• Sweating
• Gut disturbances (diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting)
• Abnormal heart beats
• Convulsions
• Hallucination
• Pins and needles
• Dizziness
• Palpitations
• Difficulty in breathing
• Urination problems
• Difficulty in swallowing
• Anxiety

Other Medications

Before you start on a prescription of tramacet, it is important that you inform your doctor of any of the below medications you are taking along with.

• Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine, tranylcypromine, isocarboxacid
• MAO-A inhibitor antidepressant moclobemide
• MAO-B inhibitor selegiline (used for Parkinson's disease)
• Tricyclic antidepressants
• Antipsychotics
• Other opioids (codeine, morphine)
• Benzodiazepines (diazepam)
• Barbiturates
• Sedating antihistamines
• Sleeping tablets

Appointments and more information

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