Can you take ultram and vicodin together

Sometimes an adult may take hydrocodone to treat a severe cough, as it helps decrease activity in the brain that causes coughing. Doctors do not typically prescribe tramadol for this purpose. People may take tramadol or hydrocodone following surgery, after a serious accident, or for health conditions that cause severe pain.

A prescription is necessary for both drugs and, due to the risks of misuse and overdose, people should only take them for short periods at the lowest possible dose. People with specific types of coughs, such as those resulting from lung cancer , may use hydrocodone for cough relief. However, this medication does not work for all types of cough. As tramadol is less potent, doctors may prescribe it for slightly milder pain.

They will generally only recommend hydrocodone if someone has severe pain that they cannot manage with tramadol or other weaker opioids. Hydrocodone and tramadol usually come in the form of a pill. A person should swallow the pill whole and avoid breaking or crushing it. Breaking or crushing pills can cause too much of the medication to enter the body at once, leading to a dangerous overdose.

Once a person has finished taking tramadol or hydrocodone, they should dispose of any leftover pills properly. The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy website includes information about medication disposal sites. People should not keep tramadol and hydrocodone in the home once they have stopped taking them. The FDA advise that children under the age of 18 years should not take hydrocodone or other opioids, such as codeine. They also state that doctors should not prescribe tramadol for children who are younger than Tramadol can cause dangerous side effects in children between the ages of 12 and 18 if they have certain existing medical conditions.

Children who take either of these medications are at risk of life-threatening breathing problems, addiction, overdose, and death. Women who are pregnant or who plan to become pregnant should not take tramadol or hydrocodone.

Taking these medications or other opioids during pregnancy can cause life-threatening health problems in the baby after birth. Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid taking opioids, including tramadol and hydrocodone, as the baby can receive unsafe levels of these drugs through breast milk. Occasionally, tramadol or hydrocodone can cause severe side effects that require emergency medical attention, including:.

Tramadol and hydrocodone can have dangerous interactions with other medications and substances. These interactions can increase the risk of life-threatening side effects, such as breathing problems and coma. They can also be fatal. It is crucial for a person to tell a doctor about all the medications and supplements that they are taking before using tramadol or hydrocodone. Drinking alcohol or taking illicit drugs while taking tramadol or hydrocodone can cause dangerous or fatal side effects.

Other medications and supplements that can cause adverse interactions with tramadol and hydrocodone include:. When medicines combine tramadol or hydrocodone with acetaminophen, there are other interactions to consider. For example, taking additional acetaminophen with the medication can lead to liver damage.

They may start with the lowest possible dose to minimize side effects. The dose can then be adjusted as needed. Excess acetaminophen can increase the risk to your liver, and will offer little additional pain relief. You may have to take the medication several times a day at regular intervals.

The medications work better if they are taken before the pain gets unbearable. Usually, the extended-release capsule is taken once a day. Hydrocodone comes with a black box warning about the potential for misuse of this drug. The FDA requires a black box warning for drugs with associated serious or life-threatening risks. Side effects of both drugs are more likely or can be more intense if you are older or have kidney or liver disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or other chronic disease.

If you develop swelling of the tongue or throat, you may be having an allergic reaction to the medication. Opioids should be used with caution if you have:. Opioids can make it hard to urinate, especially for men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH. These medications may be harmful to your developing baby and may pass through your breast milk. You may experience mood changes, confusion, or hallucinations.

Other serious complications include seizures, rapid heartbeat , and shallow breathing. If you have any of these symptoms, seek immediate medical help. Opioid overdose can slow your breathing rate and ultimately lead to coma or death. Careful monitoring is recommended if you have cardiovascular disease or hypovolemia a decrease in blood volume.

Acetaminophen is associated with acute liver failure. Acetaminophen is also linked to rare, but potentially fatal, skin reactions. See your doctor immediately if you develop skin blisters or rash. If you take either of these drugs for a long time, you may develop a tolerance to them.

These medications should be taken with great care because they can become habit-forming. If you become dependent on opioids, you may have symptoms of withdrawal when you stop. Your doctor can help you taper off the drug slowly, which can help prevent withdrawal. Be sure to tell your doctor about all medications and supplements you use.

Some may have dangerous interactions. Tramadol has several drug interactions. Tell your doctor about all drugs and supplements you take, before you start taking tramadol. These are some of the drugs that interact with tramadol, but you may still be able to take them together.

Talk to your doctor if you are taking any of these drugs:. For example, alcohol and certain over-the-counter drugs that cause sleepiness, including cough or cold formulas, can increase the sedating effect of these drugs.

Hydrocodone comes with a black box warning about the potential for misuse. According to the Drug Enforcement Administration DEA , hydrocodone is associated with more misuse than any other opioid. Building a tolerance to a drug means that the same dosage no longer achieves the same effect.

People who develop a tolerance often take more of the drug than recommended to get the same feeling. Tolerance can often lead to dependence. If you feel yourself becoming dependent, contact your doctor right away.

Your doctor will adjust your dosage to slowly taper you off the drug. This helps prevent withdrawal. Tell your doctor right away if you have withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking either of these drugs. Learn more: What is opiate withdrawal? List all your over-the-counter and prescription medications and supplements. Discuss the potential side effects and benefits of these and other opioids with your doctor. Together, you can choose the least potent treatment necessary to relieve your pain.

Tramadol and Vicodin are powerful pain relievers. Find out how they work, how they compare, and why you should take them with caution. Tramadol, oxycodone, and controlled-release oxycodone are drugs used to treat moderate to severe pain.

Learn how these drugs are similar and different. If you stop using opiates after becoming dependent, you can experience uncomfortable symptoms of withdrawal.