Robaxin vs. Ultram

• Are Ultram and Robaxin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Robaxin?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Ultram?
• What Is Robaxin?
• What Is Ultram?
• What Drugs Interact with Robaxin?
• What Drugs Interact with Ultram?
• How Should Robaxin Be Taken?
• How Should Ultram Be Taken?

Robaxin (methocarbamol) and Ultram (tramadol) are used to treat pain.

Robaxin is specifically used to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

Robaxin and belong to different drug classes. Robaxin is a muscle relaxant and Ultram is a pain reliever (analgesic) similar to an opioid (narcotic).

Side effects of Robaxin and Ultram that are similar include stomach upset, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, loss of coordination, dizziness, spinning sensation, drowsiness, or skin rash.

Side effects of Robaxin that are different from Ultram include flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling), confusion, memory problems, loss of balance, blurred vision, double vision, eye redness, lightheadedness, sleep problems (insomnia), stuffy nose, or itching.

Side effects of Ultram that are different from Robaxin include agitation, nervousness, anxiety, seizures (convulsions), hallucinations, fever, fast heart rate, overactive reflexes, diarrhea, and fainting.

Both Robaxin and Ultram may interact with alcohol and other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing (sleeping pills, narcotics, prescription cough medicines, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety, depression, or seizures).

Robaxin may also interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine.

Ultram may also interact with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antibiotics, antifungal medications, heart or blood pressure medications, seizure medications, or medicines to treat HIV or hepatitis C, and medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or to prevent of nausea and vomiting.

Do not stop using Ultram suddenly, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms.

Common side effects of Robaxin include:

• stomach upset,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling),
• constipation,
• headache,
• confusion,
• memory problems,
• loss of balance or coordination,
• blurred vision,
• double vision,
• eye redness,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• drowsiness,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• stuffy nose,
• itching, or
• rash, especially during the first few days as your body adjusts to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Robaxin including:

• fever,
• chills,
• flu symptoms,
• slow heart rate,
• feeling like you might pass out,
• seizures (convulsions), or
• jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Common side effects of Ultram include:

• agitation,
• nervousness,
• anxiety,
• seizures (convulsions),
• skin rash,
• dizziness,
• spinning sensation,
• hallucinations,
• fever,
• fast heart rate,
• overactive reflexes,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• loss of coordination,
• headache,
• drowsiness, and
• fainting.

Robaxin (methocarbamol) is a muscle relaxant used together with rest and physical therapy to treat skeletal muscle conditions such as pain or injury.

Ultram is a strong prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid (narcotic) that is used for the management pain in adults, when other pain treatments such as non-opioid pain medicines do not treat your pain well enough or you cannot tolerate them. Ultram is an opioid pain medicine that can put you at risk for overdose and death. Even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed you are at risk for opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse that can lead to death.

Patients should be cautioned that Robaxin may cause drowsiness or dizziness, which may impair their ability to operate motor vehicles or machinery.

Because Robaxin may possess a general CNS-depressant effect, patients should be cautioned about combined effects with alcohol and other CNS depressants.

Ultram is contraindicated in patients receiving MAO inhibitors or who have used them within the previous 14 days.

The use of clozapine and lorazepam may produce marked sedation, excessive salivation, hypotension, ataxia, delirium, and respiratory arrest.

The recommended starting dose of Robaxin is six grams a day for the first 48 to 72 hours of treatment. Thereafter, the dosage can usually be reduced to approximately 4 grams a day. Robaxin may interact with pyridostigmine, donepezil, galantamine, rivastigmine, or tacrine. Tell your doctor all prescription and over-the-counter medications and supplements you use. Robaxin should be used during pregnancy only when prescribed. It is not known if this drug passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Do not change your dose. Take Ultram exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Use the lowest dose possible for the shortest time needed.

Take your prescribed dose as indicated by your health care provider. The maximum dosage is 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours, as needed for pain relief. Do not take more than your prescribed dose and do not take more than 8 tablets per day. If you miss a dose, take your next dose at your usual time.

Call your healthcare provider if the dose you are taking does not control your pain.

If you have been taking Ultram regularly, do not stop taking Ultram without talking to your healthcare provider.

After you stop taking Ultram, ask your pharmacist how to dispose of any unused tablets.