Acetaminophen And Tramadol: What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Acetaminophen And Tramadol

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking acetaminophen and tramadol?

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to acetaminophen and tramadol, if you are intoxicated (drunk), or if you have recently used any of the following drugs:

• alcohol;
• narcotic pain medicine;
• sedatives or tranquilizers (such as Valium);
• medicine for depression or anxiety;
• medicine for mental illness (such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia); or
• street drugs.

Tell your doctor if you drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day or if you have ever had alcoholic liver disease (cirrhosis). You may not be able to take medication that contains acetaminophen.

Seizures have occurred in some people taking acetaminophen and tramadol. Your risk of a seizure may be higher if you have any of these conditions:

• a history of drug or alcohol addiction;
• a history of epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
• a history of head injury;
• a metabolic disorder;
• an infection of your brain or spinal cord, such as meningitis or encephalitis;
• if you are also taking an antidepressant, mood stabilizer, or another narcotic pain medicine; or
• if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days.

Talk with your doctor about your individual risk of having a seizure.

Before taking acetaminophen and tramadol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• asthma or other breathing disorder;
• a stomach disorder; or
• a history of depression, mental illness, or suicide attempt.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Acetaminophen and tramadol may also cause serious or fatal side effects in a newborn if the mother uses the medication during pregnancy or labor. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Acetaminophen and tramadol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Last updated:	November 27, 2007