Signs, Symptoms, and Side Effects of Ultracet Abuse
Ultracet is a combination medicine prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Ultracet contains two medications, tramadol and acetaminophen tablets.Tramadolis a type of narcotic that is prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Acetaminophen is a type of pain reliever (e.g. aspirin) that is not as powerful as opioids. When the two medications are combined, acetaminophen increases the strength and effectiveness of tramadol.
When someone takes Ultracet they often experience a euphoric feeling, similar to opioids like hydrocodone. For this reason, Ultracet is typically only prescribed for short-term pain relief to reduce the risk of substance misuse.
What is Ultracet?
Ultracet, as previously mentioned, is a type of pain reliever that consists of two medications. Tramadol is the narcotic-like substance present in Ultracet. Tramadol is a synthetic version of codeine, meaning the chemical structure is similar, however, it’s meant to have a lower chance for addiction. Tramadol binds to pain receptors which decreases a person’s awareness to pain. When combined with acetaminophen tablets, tramadol’s potency increases.
Ultracet should be taken exactly as directed by a doctor to avoid developing a reliance on the drug. Ultracet should not be mixed with alcohol as the reaction may cause fatal respiratory depression.
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Always inform a doctor of any current or recent medications taken. Ultracet may have a negative reaction to certain antidepressants and other opioid agonists, increasing the risks ofside effects.
Side effects that might occur while taking Ultracet include:
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Sweating
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Vomiting
Speak with a doctor and discontinue Ultracet use if any severe side effects occur, such as:
- Severe abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Mental/mood changes such as hallucinations or irritability
- Confusion
- Slowed breathing
- Muscle weakness
If side effects persist or worsen seek medical attention immediately.
Ultracet Addiction
Taking Ultracet as directed will lower the chances of misuse, however, people who take the medication, with or without a prescription, will eventually develop a tolerance and possibly become dependent.Opioiddependence is different from opioid addiction. Someone struggling with addiction will have strong cravings for Ultracet due to the chemical imbalance that opioids cause.
Once a person builds up a tolerance for Ultracet, the standard dosage will no longer produce the same effects, which often results in the person taking more to achieve the feeling of euphoria. Taking Ultracet in higher amounts without medical consent increases the chances of seizures, side effects, and addiction.
If someone is addicted to Ultracet, they may begin mixing it with other substances, like alcohol, to strengthen the effects.
Ultracet Long-Term Effects
As stated in the previous section, opioids like Ultracet alter how the brain responds to pain signals. When Ultracet is taken for a long period of time, the natural chemical balance is tampered with, therefore making it hard for the brain to produce pain-blocking chemicals without opioid assistance.
This chemical imbalance usually causes withdrawal symptoms and can affect a person’s long-term recovery.
Staying in recovery is difficult, especially if someone has previously been addicted to Ultracet. It’s critical to learn how to cope with stressors that lead to recurring substance use. At The Recovery Village, both our inpatient andoutpatient programsoffer therapy to help our patients deal with everyday stress, keeping you or your loved one on the road to recovery.
