Possible side-effects of Ultram

Ultram is a powerful medication, designed to make a significant difference to the way you feel. You should monitor how your body reacts. This advice is not intended to alarm you in any way. Almost everyone who follows the directions given by their physician, can take Ultram without experiencing any side-effects. If you are unlucky and there are side effects, the most common are mild and do not last long, including:

	blurred vision, dizziness and drowsiness (this means that Ultram can interfere with your thinking and your reaction time, so you should not drive, operate dangerous machinery or do anything else that requires you to be awake and alert;
	headache,
	nausea and vomiting.

Even mild effects can be worrying. Consult your physician if the above effects become more troublesome. Experiencing any of the following symptoms justifies calling a physician immediately:

	heavy sweating, itching, a rash or skin blisters, etc. which suggest an allergic reaction;
	shallow breathing;
	palpitations or racing pulse;
	dry mouth;
	diarrhoea;
	visual disturbances; or
	insomnia;
	in a few cases, convulsions and seizures have been experienced by those who have consumed alcohol or other drugs, or who have epilepsy, head injuries, etc.

If you do seek emergency assistance, tell whoever you see that you have taken Ultram. This particularly applies if you think you have taken an overdose. An overdose of Ultram can be fatal. To the list of serious symptoms given above, you add cold or clammy skin, extreme physical weakness, fainting or coma.

Ultram can be habit-forming. If you take this medication at too high a dose or for too long, you may become physically or psychologically dependent. It will therefore be impossible to stop taking Ultram overnight. Ultram works at its best when there is a stable concentration in your blood. To stop, you must very slowly reduce that level, adjusting your body over time until you are weaned off. During this time, withdrawal symptoms are quite common. You can expect breathing problems, sweating, nausea, diarrhoea, anxiety, difficulty sleeping and hallucinations. You will almost certainly need medical support during this period if you are to avoid relapse.

Finally, remember that Ultram may increase central nervous system depression and a slowing of your breathing when combined with alcohol, anaesthetics, narcotics, tranquillisers or sedative hypnotics. So do not drink alcohol or combine Ultram with any recreational drugs. If you propose to have surgery or attend a dentist and expect to have an anaesthetic, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking Ultram.