Re: Ultram Addiction
From: Marilyn Vaughan (mavaughan@iastate.edu)
Mon Sep 9 18:01:19 2002
Ultracet is simply Ultram (tramadol) plus Tylenol. Research has shown
that the combination of the two taken simultaneously works better than
tramadol alone. My pain doctor told me he has known about this for
years but the drug company got wind of it and started marketing Ultracet
last November. To get the same effect, you can take Ultram and one
regular strength Tylenol. I've found it a good drug for mild to
moderate pain, but it did nothing for me when my adhesion pain was
severe. I'd hate to see it taken off the market because some people
experienced side effects!! Oxycontin is addictive, however, it's a
godsend for people in chronic pain.
Here's a quote from Dr. Richard Wallace, director of the pain
management center at UC San Diego, that appeared in the Sunday, August
18, 2002, San Diego Union-Tribune:
The notion that chronic pain sufferers can become addicted to these
opioid medications is simply a myth, insisted UCSD's Wallace.
"There's less than a 0.1 percent risk of addiction if the medication is
being taken for the treatment of pain," he said, basing his conclusion
on the studies he's seen.
Dr. Wallace is my mother's doctor and she sent me the article. It's
unclear to me whether Ultracet is addictive. I'd like to hear some
doctors' opinions.