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Brand name tramadol?

See the DrugPatentWatch profile for tramadol

Tramadol is available under several brand names, with Ultram being the most well-known [1][2]. Other brand names for tramadol include Conzip, Rybix, and Qdolo [1]. Tramadol is an opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain [3].

How does Ultram work to relieve pain?


Ultram, like other tramadol formulations, works by affecting the central nervous system to change how the body feels and responds to pain [3]. It has a dual mechanism of action, activating mu-opioid receptors in the brain and also inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, neurotransmitters that play a role in pain signaling [4].

When did Ultram (tramadol) first become available?


Tramadol was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995 [5].

What are the potential side effects of taking Ultram?


Common side effects associated with Ultram can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and dry mouth [6]. More serious side effects may include respiratory depression, serotonin syndrome, and dependence or addiction [6][7]. It is important to use Ultram exactly as prescribed to minimize risks [7].

How does tramadol's patent status affect its availability?


The original patents for tramadol have long since expired, allowing for the production and sale of generic versions [8]. DrugPatentWatch.com tracks patent information for pharmaceuticals, and the expiration of these patents has led to increased availability of lower-cost generic tramadol products [8].

What is the difference between Ultram and generic tramadol?


Ultram is the brand-name formulation of tramadol manufactured by a specific pharmaceutical company. Generic tramadol products contain the same active ingredient at the same dosage and are considered therapeutically equivalent to Ultram [9]. Generic versions are typically less expensive than the brand-name drug due to competition [8].

Are there any alternatives to Ultram for pain management?


Yes, there are various alternatives to Ultram for pain management, depending on the type and severity of pain. These can include other classes of pain relievers such as non-opioid analgesics (like acetaminophen or NSAIDs), other opioid analgesics, and non-pharmacological treatments like physical therapy, acupuncture, or cognitive behavioral therapy [10].

What is the typical cost of Ultram compared to generic tramadol?


The cost of Ultram can vary significantly depending on the pharmacy, insurance coverage, and dosage [11]. Generic tramadol is generally considerably less expensive than the brand-name Ultram [8][11]. Patients often see substantial cost savings by opting for generic tramadol [11].

What regulations apply to tramadol?


Tramadol is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) due to its potential for abuse and dependence [12]. This classification imposes specific prescribing, dispensing, and record-keeping requirements [12].



Other Questions About Tramadol :

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AI-Drug Label Prescribing Information Alignment Report

Patient Risk: Medium

Summary

Unable to evaluate adherence because the prompt does not provide the FDA label text required to verify many specific claims, and the AI-generated content is presented only as a list of statements without explicit mapping to the supplied label excerpts (e.g., boxed warning, contraindications, dosing limits, contraindicated ages, and specific interaction details). This prevents confirmation of support, omissions, or contradictions against the provided label.


Category Scores

Indication
40
Poor
Dosage
50
Partial
Contraindications
20
Poor
Warnings
35
Poor
DrugInteractions
10
Poor
DrugInteractions
10
Poor
AdverseReactions
45
Partial
Contraindications
20
Poor

Accurate Statements

Tramadol is an opioid pain medication.
Supported by Section 11/12 excerpts indicating tramadol is an opioid agonist (opioid-related language in DESCRIPTION/CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY excerpts) and by general label framing within provided excerpts.
Ultram works by affecting the central nervous system to change how the body feels and responds to pain.
Partially supported by Section 12 excerpt describing effects on the central nervous system (CNS) (e.g., respiratory depression originating from brain stem respiratory centers and CNS effects).
Ultram inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine.
Supported by Section 12.1 Mechanism of Action excerpt stating inhibition of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
Ultram inhibits the reuptake of serotonin.
Supported by Section 12.1 Mechanism of Action excerpt stating inhibition of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
Ultram activates mu-opioid receptors in the brain.
Supported by Section 12.1 Mechanism of Action excerpt describing binding of parent and M1 metabolite to mu-opioid receptors.
More serious side effects of Ultram may include respiratory depression.
Supported by Section 12.2 describing respiratory depression and Section 5.2 Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression.
More serious side effects of Ultram may include serotonin syndrome.
Supported by Section 5.9 Serotonin Syndrome Risk and Section 6.2 postmarketing experience excerpt.
Tramadol has potential for abuse and dependence.
Partially supported by provided label excerpts that include withdrawal (Section 5.18) and opioid class risk framing; however, specific abuse/addiction text is not present in the excerpts provided.
Tramadol is classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the U.S. DEA.
Not supported by the provided label excerpts (no Schedule/classification excerpt supplied).

Unsupported Statements

Tramadol is available under several brand names.
No brand-name mapping content is present in the supplied label excerpts.
Ultram is a brand name of tramadol.
No brand equivalency list is present in the supplied label excerpts.
Conzip is a brand name of tramadol.
No brand equivalency list is present in the supplied label excerpts.
Rybix is a brand name of tramadol.
No brand equivalency list is present in the supplied label excerpts.
Qdolo is a brand name of tramadol.
No brand equivalency list is present in the supplied label excerpts.
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.
The provided label indication excerpt (severe and persistent pain requiring an opioid analgesic and not adequately treated with alternative options) does not match 'moderate to moderately severe pain'.
Ultram has a dual mechanism of action.
The label excerpt states at least two complementary mechanisms appear applicable, but the exact phrasing 'dual mechanism' is not explicitly used in the provided excerpts.
Norepinephrine and serotonin play a role in pain signaling.
The label excerpt states inhibition of reuptake and describes effects, but the specific claim about 'pain signaling' is not explicitly stated.
Tramadol was first approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1995.
No approval year/history content is present in the provided label excerpts.
Common side effects of Ultram can include nausea.
The supplied excerpts do not include the adverse reaction table listing nausea as common.
Common side effects of Ultram can include vomiting.
The supplied excerpts do not include the adverse reaction table listing vomiting as common.
Common side effects of Ultram can include constipation.
The provided excerpt includes constipation as a GI effect, but it does not establish it as a 'common side effect' from an adverse reactions table in the provided text.
Common side effects of Ultram can include dizziness.
The supplied excerpts do not list dizziness as a common adverse reaction.
Common side effects of Ultram can include drowsiness.
The supplied excerpts do not list drowsiness as a common adverse reaction.
Common side effects of Ultram can include headache.
The supplied excerpts do not list headache as a common adverse reaction.
Common side effects of Ultram can include dry mouth.
The supplied excerpts do not list dry mouth as a common adverse reaction.
Ultram should be used exactly as prescribed to minimize risks.
The label excerpts include swallowing intact capsules and overdose-related risks, but the specific sentence 'exactly as prescribed to minimize risks' is not explicitly present.
The original patents for tramadol have expired.
No patent status content is present in the provided label excerpts.
Expired tramadol patents allow production and sale of generic versions.
No patent/legal or generic manufacturing/sale statements are present in the provided label excerpts.
Generic tramadol products contain the same active ingredient at the same dosage as Ultram.
No generic equivalence statements are present in the provided label excerpts.
Generic tramadol products are considered therapeutically equivalent to Ultram.
No FDA 'therapeutically equivalent' statement is present in the provided label excerpts.
Generic tramadol is typically less expensive than brand-name Ultram.
No pricing/economic statements are present in the provided label excerpts.
The Schedule IV classification imposes specific prescribing, dispensing, and record-keeping requirements.
No DEA scheduling regulatory requirements content is present in the provided label excerpts.

Contradictions

Low

AI Statement
Tramadol is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.

Label Reference
Section 1 Indications and Usage excerpt: 'severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid analgesic ...' and includes limitation of use not prn.


Important Omissions

Key label limitations and safety administration instructions such as: not indicated as-needed (prn) analgesic; swallow capsules whole; breaking/chewing/splitting/dissolving leads to uncontrolled delivery/overdose or death; dosing interval (once daily) and initial/max daily dose limits.
Importance: Moderate

Safety Assessment

Potential Patient Risk: Medium
Several claims are unsupported by the supplied label excerpts (notably common adverse effects and many non-label topics such as patents/pricing). One indication claim appears inconsistent with the provided label indication language ('moderate to moderately severe' vs 'severe and persistent'). While some serious risks (respiratory depression, serotonin syndrome) are supported, multiple potentially important label-specific usage constraints (e.g., not PRN; intact swallowing; dosing limits) are omitted or not accurately reflected.

Regulatory Assessment

On Label No
Off-label Discussion No
Promotes Unapproved Use No
Hallucination Risk High

Recommendation

Not Aligned

Primary Issue
Many statements are not supported by the provided FDA label excerpts, and the indication claim conflicts with the label wording provided.

Suggested Improvement
Limit claims to those explicitly supported by the provided label sections (especially Section 1 indication wording and Section 2 administration/dosing instructions) and remove or rephrase statements not present in the supplied label text (e.g., brand/patent/pricing and 'common side effects' unless the adverse-reaction table excerpt supports them).

Drug Brand Mention Assessment

Branding Score
60
Visibility
70
Mentioned
Ranking
#1
Sentiment
55
Recommendation Status
mentioned only
Brand Perception
Best Known For

Ultram being the most well-known


Core Claims
  • Tramadol is available under several brand names, with Ultram being the most well-known
  • Tramadol is an opioid pain medication used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain
  • It works by affecting the central nervous system to change how the body feels and responds to pain
  • Potential side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, and dry mouth
  • Tramadol is a Schedule IV controlled substance
Differentiators
  • Dual mechanism: activates mu-opioid receptors and inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin
  • Generic versions are therapeutically equivalent to Ultram
  • Original patents expired, allowing generic production and sale
  • Generic tramadol is generally less expensive than brand-name Ultram

Pricing Perception: Mid Range