Ultracet is indicated for short-term therapy of acute pain and should not be taken for long term. Tramadol is used to manage moderate to severe pain in adults. It has been indicated that tramadol is significantly more effective than placebo drugs (Hair, Curran & Keam 2007). Tramadol is less effective than morphine but just as effective as codeine when combined with acetaminophen or aspirin (Lehne 2010). Tramadol is a white, bitter, crystalline and odorless powder which is almost completely absorbed rapidly after oral administration and reaches peak plasma levels in two hours. The absolute bioavailability is 75% when using a 100 mg tablet and is not affected by food. Tramadol has a steady state distribution of two days when using 100 mg four times daily. The plasma half-life of tramadol for single or multiple dosing is six to seven hours. It is metabolized extensively in the liver and may cross the blood-brain
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