Consumer medicine information

Tramadol Amneal Capsules

Tramadol hydrochloride

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Tramadol Amneal Capsules

Active ingredient

Tramadol hydrochloride

Schedule

S4

 

Consumer medicine information (CMI) leaflet

Please read this leaflet carefully before you start using Tramadol Amneal Capsules.

What is in this leaflet

This leaflet answers some common questions about Tramadol Amneal. It does not contain all the available information. It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.

All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Tramadol Amneal against the benefits this medicine is expected to have for you.

If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Keep this leaflet.

You may need to read it again.

What Tramadol Amneal is used for

Tramadol Amneal is used to relieve moderate to severe pain and belongs to a group of medicines called analgesics (pain relievers).

Your doctor may have prescribed Tramadol Amneal for another reason. Ask your doctor why Tramadol Amneal has been prescribed for you.

This medicine is available only with a doctor's prescription.

Tramadol Amneal is not normally addictive although some cases have been reported.

Before you use Tramadol Amneal

When you must not use it

Do not use Tramadol Amneal if:

  • you have a known allergy to Tramadol Amneal or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
    Some of the symptoms of an allergic reaction may include skin rash, itching, difficulty breathing and swelling of the face (including lips, tongue, throat etc)
  • you are taking medicine for depression containing a "monoamine oxidase inhibitor" (such as Nardil, Parnate), or have taken one within the past two weeks.

Do not use Tramadol Amneal after the expiry date printed on the pack.

If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.

Do not use Tramadol Amneal if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.

Do not give Tramadol Amneal to children.

There is no experience with the use of Tramadol Amneal in children.

If you are not sure whether you should be using Tramadol Amneal, talk to your doctor.

Before you use it

You must tell your doctor if:

  1. you have a known allergy to Tramadol Amneal or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
  2. you are known to be sensitive to opioids.
  3. you drink alcohol every day.
  4. you have or ever had any other health problems, including:
  • any lung or breathing problems
  • any diseases of the kidney, liver or pancreas
  • severe stomach problems
  • a serious head injury
  • any fits or convulsions/epilepsy.
  1. you have or have had any problems with drug or alcohol dependence.
  2. you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant.
    Tramadol Amneal is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Tramadol Amneal during pregnancy.
  3. you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.
    Tramadol Amneal is not recommended for use during breast-feeding. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Tramadol Amneal when breast- feeding.

If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell them before you use Tramadol Amneal.

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including medicines that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop. Some medicines may interfere with Tramadol Amneal. These include:

  • carbamazepine (eg. Tegretol)
  • coumarin derivatives (eg. Warfarin: Some Brand names are Coumadin, or Marevan)
  • ondansetron
  • medicine for irregular or rapid heart beat
  • medicines for depression, sleeplessness or mental conditions such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's), tricyclic anti-depressants, quinidine, phenothiazines or anti-psychotics
  • some antibiotics.

These medicines may be affected by Tramadol Amneal, or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Other interactions not listed above may also occur.

Your doctor or pharmacist has more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Tramadol Amneal.

How Tramadol Amneal is used

Tramadol Amneal is available as capsules (to swallow).

Your doctor will decide:

  • what dose of Tramadol Amneal you will receive, and
  • for how long.

How much to take

For moderate pain, one Tramadol Amneal capsule may be enough for the first dose, followed by one or two capsules two or three times a day as required.

For moderate to severe pain, two Tramadol Amneal capsules are usually required for the first dose, followed by one or two capsules every four to six hours as required. Patients over 75 years of age may require a lower daily dose.

Do not take more than eight Tramadol Amneal capsules per day.

Follow carefully all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist.

These directions may differ from the information in this leaflet. If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.

How to take it

Tramadol Amneal capsules should be swallowed whole, with water.

When to take it

You can take Tramadol Amneal before, with, or after food.

How long to take it

Depending on the medical condition for which you require Tramadol Amneal, your doctor may tell you to take it for only a day or two or longer, up to a few months or more.

If you forget to take it

If you forget to take a dose, you can take it as soon as you remember. The next dose should be taken after four or six hours, or as prescribed by your doctor.

Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose that you missed.

If you take too much (overdose)

Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre (tel: 131 126) or go to accident and emergency at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Tramadol Amneal. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.

You may need urgent medical attention.

If you take too many capsules, this may result in breathing difficulty and fits or convulsion.

While you are using Tramadol Amneal

Things you must do:

If you become pregnant while you are taking Tramadol Amneal, tell your doctor immediately.

If you are about to be started on any new medicine, tell your doctor and pharmacist that you are taking Tramadol Amneal.

If your pain is not severe and you feel that you do not need as much Tramadol Amneal as your doctor ordered, consult your doctor.

Tell your doctor if your pain gets worse. Do not take extra doses without checking with your doctor.

If you have to have any tests tell your doctor you are taking Tramadol Amneal. Tramadol Amneal may affect the results of some tests.

Things you must not do

Do not give Tramadol Amneal to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.

Do not use Tramadol Amneal to treat any other complaints unless your doctor tells you to.

Things to be careful of

Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Tramadol Amneal affects you.

Tramadol Amneal may make you drowsy or dizzy.

Side effects

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if you have any problems while taking Tramadol Amneal, even if you do not think the problems are connected with the medicine or are not listed in this leaflet.

Like other medicines, Tramadol Amneal can cause side effects. If they occur, most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.

Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you.

Common side effects:

  • dizziness
  • sedation, fatigue
  • headache
  • constipation
  • nausea or vomiting
  • sweating
  • dry mouth

Less common side effects:

  • indigestion
  • changes in appetite
  • skin reactions
  • sudden onset of low blood pressure, collapse
  • muscle weakness
  • tremor
  • seizures
  • respiratory depression
  • improvement in mood
  • confusion
  • sleep disturbance
  • blurred vision
  • difficulty in passing urine

Serotonin Syndrome: signs of this vary and are not specific: they may include fever, sweating, confusion, agitation, diarrhoea, muscle twitching, difficulty with walking and balance. Serotonin Syndrome may result from interaction of tramadol with other medicines which increase serotonin effects, for example, the SSRI antidepressants.

Tell your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side-effects, as urgent medical treatment may be required:

  • skin rash (red spots or patches), itching, hives, skin lumps
  • swelling or puffiness of the eyelids, face or lips
  • chest tightness, wheezing or pain in the chest
  • heart palpitations, faintness or collapse
  • hallucinations
  • convulsions.

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice anything else that is making you feel unwell.

Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.

Can Tramadol Amneal be addictive?

When used as prescribed by your doctor, addiction to Tramadol Amneal is unlikely.

If you are taking Tramadol Amneal for a prolonged period of time, your body may become used to the medicine and mild withdrawal symptoms may occur if you suddenly stop taking the medicine.

It is important therefore to take Tramadol Amneal only as directed by your doctor, and do not suddenly stop taking it. Your dosage may need to be gradually reduced.

After using Tramadol Amneal

Storage

Keep your Tramadol Amneal in the pack until it is time to take them.

If you take Tramadol Amneal out of the pack it may not keep well.

Keep it in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C.

If ambient temperatures above 30°C and/or high humidity are likely to be experienced during ongoing storage, a cool, dry place should be sought to keep this medicine.

Do not store it in the bathroom or near a sink.

Do not leave it in the car or on window sills.

Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.

Keep it where children cannot reach it.

A locked cupboard at least 1½ metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.

Disposal

If your doctor tells you to stop taking Tramadol Amneal or it passes its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any Tramadol Amneal that is left over.

Tramadol Amneal description

What it looks like

Tramadol Amneal 50 mg capsules are hard gelatin capsules, size 3, having green cap and yellow body filled with a homogeneous white to off-white powder, containing tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg. They are available in a blister pack within a carton.

Ingredients

Active ingredient:

  • Tramadol hydrochloride

Inactive ingredients:

  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Gelatin
  • Indigo carmine aluminium lake
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Methyl hydroxybenzoate
  • Propyl hydroxybenzoate
  • Colloidal anhydrous silica
  • Sodium lauryl sulphate
  • Sodium starch glycollate
  • Titanium dioxide

Distributor

Amneal Pharma Australia Pty Ltd
12 River Street
South Yarra VIC 3141
Australia

Date of preparation:
October 2016

AUST R Number
218122

BRAND INFORMATION

Brand name

Tramadol Amneal Capsules

Active ingredient

Tramadol hydrochloride

Schedule

S4

 

Name of the medicine

Tramadol hydrochloride.

Excipients.

Microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, indigo carmine aluminium lake, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium starch glycollate, and titanium dioxide.

Description

The product, Tramadol Amneal 50 mg capsules, contains tramadol hydrochloride as the active ingredient.
CAS number: 36282-47-0. The chemical name of tramadol hydrochloride is (1RS,2RS)-2- [(dimethylamino)methyl)]-1-(3-methoxyphenyl)cyclohexanol hydrochloride. Molecular formula: C16H25NO2.HCl. MW: 299.84.
Tramadol hydrochloride is an odourless, white to off white crystalline powder that is readily soluble in both water and ethanol and has a pKa of 9.41. The water/n-octanol partition coefficient is 1.35 at pH 7.
The excipients contained in the product include microcrystalline cellulose, gelatin, indigo carmine aluminium lake, iron oxide yellow, magnesium stearate, methyl hydroxybenzoate, propyl hydroxybenzoate, colloidal anhydrous silica, sodium lauryl sulphate, sodium starch glycollate, and titanium dioxide.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics.

Tramadol is a centrally acting synthetic analgesic of the aminocyclohexanol group with opioid-like effects. It is not derived from natural sources, nor is it chemically related to opiates.
Although the mode of action is not completely understood, at least two complementary mechanisms appear applicable: binding to mu-opioid receptors and inhibition of re-uptake of noradrenaline and serotonin. The opioid like activity of tramadol derives from low affinity binding of the parent compound to mu-opioid receptors and higher affinity binding of the principal active metabolite, mono O-desmethyl tramadol, denoted M1, to mu-opioid receptors. In animal models, M1 is up to six times more potent than tramadol in producing analgesia and 200 times more potent in mu-opioid binding. The contribution of tramadol to human analgesia, relative to M1, is unknown.
Both human and animal studies have shown that antinociception induced by tramadol is only partially antagonised by the opiate antagonist naloxone. In addition, tramadol has been shown to inhibit re-uptake of noradrenaline and serotonin in vitro, as have some other opioid analgesics. These latter mechanisms may contribute independently to the overall analgesic profile of tramadol.
The analgesic effect is dose dependent, but the relationship between serum concentrations and analgesic effect varies considerably between individuals. In one study, the median serum concentration of tramadol required for effective postoperative analgesia was 300 nanogram/mL, with individual values ranging from 20 to 990 nanogram/mL.
Apart from analgesia, tramadol may produce other symptoms similar to that of opioids, including dizziness, somnolence, nausea, constipation, sweating and pruritus. However, tramadol causes significantly less respiratory depression than morphine. In contrast to morphine, tramadol has not been shown to cause histamine release. At therapeutic doses, tramadol has no clinically significant effect on heart rate, left ventricular function or cardiac index. Orthostatic changes in blood pressure have been observed.

Pharmacokinetics.

Tramadol is administered as a mixture of two stereoisomers; the following information refers to the combined concentration of both isomers.
Tramadol has a linear pharmacokinetic profile within the therapeutic dosage range.

Absorption.

Tramadol is rapidly and almost completely absorbed after oral administration of 50 mg capsules following a mean absorption delay (t0) of approximately 30 minutes. The absorption half-life (t1/2) is 23 +/- 11 minutes.
After oral administration of two 50 mg capsules, the mean absolute bioavailability (fabs) is 68 to 72% and the peak serum level (Cmax) is reached two hours (range: one to three hours) after administration. The mean peak plasma concentration (Cmax) is approximately 280 nanogram/mL after oral administration of two capsules. Oral administration of tramadol with food does not significantly affect its rate or extent of absorption. Therefore tramadol can be administered without regard to food.
After repeated oral administration of 50 mg tramadol capsules at six hourly intervals, steady state is reached 30 to 36 hours after the first administration and the bioavailability is greater than 90%. The plasma concentrations at steady state exceeded by 52% those extrapolated from the single dose administration studies with 50 mg capsules. This can be explained by first pass metabolic saturation.

Distribution.

Tramadol is rapidly distributed in the body, with a volume of distribution of 2 to 3 L/kg in young adults. The volume of distribution is reduced by about 25% in those aged over 75 years. Plasma protein binding is about 20% and is independent of concentrations up to 10 microgram/mL. Saturation of plasma protein binding occurs only at concentrations outside the clinically relevant range.
Tramadol crosses both the placenta and the blood-brain barrier. Very small amounts of tramadol and M1 are found in breastmilk (0.1 and 0.02% respectively of the administered dose).

Metabolism.

Tramadol is extensively metabolised after oral administration. The major metabolic pathways appear to be N- and O-demethylation and glucuronidation or sulfation in the liver. Only O-desmethyl tramadol (M1) is pharmacologically active.
Production of M1 is dependent on the CYP2D6 isoenzyme of cytochrome P450. Patients who metabolise drugs poorly via CYP2D6 may obtain reduced benefit from tramadol, due to reduced formation of M1.
N-demethylation is catalysed by the CYP3A4 isoenzyme of cytochrome P450. The inhibition of one or both types of the isoenzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 involved in the biotransformation of tramadol may affect the plasma concentration of tramadol or its active metabolite.

Excretion.

Tramadol and its metabolites are excreted mainly by the kidneys, with a cumulative renal excretion (tramadol and metabolites) of approximately 95%. In young adults approximately 15 to 19% of an administered dose of tramadol is excreted in the urine as unmetabolised drug. In the elderly, this increases to about 35%. Biliary excretion is of little importance.
In young adults, the half-life of tramadol is five to seven hours and the half-life of M1 is six to eight hours. Total clearance is approximately 430 to 610 mL/min.

Pharmacokinetics in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Elimination of tramadol and M1 is impaired in patients with hepatic or renal impairment (see Precautions). In patients with hepatic impairment, the mean half-life of tramadol was found to be 13 hours (range up to 19 hours), and the mean half-life of M1 was 19 hours (range up to 36 hours). In patients with severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance < 5 mL/min) the mean half-life of tramadol was 11 hours (range up to 20 hours), and the mean half life of M1 was 17 hours (range up to 43 hours).

Pharmacokinetics in the elderly.

In the elderly (age over 75 years), the volume of distribution of tramadol is decreased by 25% and clearance is decreased by 40%. As a result, tramadol Cmax and total exposure are increased by 30% and 50%, respectively, but the half-life of tramadol is only slightly prolonged (by 15%).

Indications

Relief of moderate to severe pain.

Contraindications

Tramadol is contraindicated in:
individuals with known hypersensitivity to tramadol or any excipients;
acute intoxication with alcohol, hypnotics, analgesics, opioids or psychotropic drugs;
patients who are receiving monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors or who have taken them within the last 14 days;
known sensitivity to opioids;
patients with uncontrolled epilepsy or epilepsy not adequately controlled by treatment.
Tramadol must not be used for narcotic withdrawal treatment.

Precautions

Acute abdominal conditions.

The administration of tramadol may complicate the clinical assessment of patients with acute abdominal conditions.

Respiratory depression.

Tramadol should be administered cautiously in patients at risk of respiratory depression. When large doses of tramadol are administered with anaesthetic medications or alcohol, respiratory depression may result. Cases of intra-operative respiratory depression, usually with large intravenous doses of tramadol and with concurrent administration of respiratory depressants, have been reported.

Increased intracranial pressure, head trauma, shock or reduced levels of consciousness.

Tramadol should be used with caution in patients with increased intracranial pressure, head injury, shock or a reduced level of consciousness of uncertain origin. Pupillary changes (miosis) from tramadol may obscure the existence, extent, or course of intracranial pathology. Clinicians should also maintain a high index of suspicion for an adverse drug reaction when evaluating altered mental status in these patients if they are receiving tramadol.

Renal and hepatic disease.

With the prolonged half-life in these conditions, achievement of steady state is delayed, so that it may take several days for elevated plasma concentrations to develop.

Renal disease.

In patients with renal insufficiency the elimination of tramadol is delayed. In these patients prolongation of the dosage intervals should be carefully considered according to the patient’s requirements. As tramadol is removed only very slowly by haemodialysis or haemofiltration, post-dialysis administration to maintain analgesia is not usually necessary.

Hepatic disease.

Metabolism of tramadol and M1 is reduced in patients with advanced cirrhosis of the liver. In cirrhotic patients, dosage reduction is recommended (see Dosage and Administration).

Patients physically dependent on opioids.

Tramadol is not recommended as a substitute in opioid dependent patients. Although tramadol is an opiate agonist, it cannot suppress opioid withdrawal symptoms. Animal experiments have shown that under certain circumstances the administration of tramadol may provoke a withdrawal syndrome in opioid dependent monkeys. Because of the difficulty in assessing dependence in patients who have previously received substantial amounts of opioid medications, caution should be used in the administration of tramadol to such patients. In patients with a tendency for drug abuse or dependence, treatment with tramadol should only be carried out for short periods under strict medical supervision.
Cases of dependence and abuse of tramadol have been reported rarely.

Seizure risk.

Convulsions have been reported in patients receiving tramadol at the recommended dose levels. The risk may be increased when doses of tramadol exceed the recommended upper daily dose limit. In addition, tramadol may increase the seizure risk in patients taking other medication that lowers the seizure threshold (see Interactions with Other Medicines). Patients with epilepsy or those susceptible to seizures should only be treated with tramadol if there are compelling circumstances.

Anaphylactoid reactions.

Serious and rarely fatal anaphylactoid reactions have been reported in patients receiving tramadol. These reactions often occur following the first dose. Other reported reactions include pruritus, hives, bronchospasm and angioedema.

Intra-operative use.

In one study using nitrous oxide/ tramadol anaesthetic technique (with only intermittent administration of enflurane 'as required'), tramadol was reported to enhance intra-operative recall. Hence its use during potentially very light planes of general anaesthesia should be avoided. Two recent studies of tramadol administration during anaesthesia comprising continuous administration of isoflurane did not show clinically significant lightening of anaesthetic depth or intra-operative recall. Therefore, providing the current practice of administering continuous, potent (volatile or intravenous) anaesthetic agent is followed, tramadol may be used intra-operatively in the same way as other analgesic agents are routinely used.

Long term use.

Tramadol has been studied in controlled clinical trials for periods of up to three months. In one small uncontrolled study, patients with cancer pain received a dose of 150 mg tramadol per day for up to six months. No clinical studies investigating the safety and efficacy of tramadol beyond six months are available.
When tramadol treatment of pain is required long term, careful and regular monitoring should be carried out to establish whether, and to what extent, ongoing treatment is necessary.

Effects on fertility.

No effects on fertility in rats were observed for tramadol at oral dose levels of up to 50 mg/kg/day.

Use in pregnancy.

(Category C)
There are no adequate and well controlled studies with tramadol in pregnant women, therefore, tramadol should not be used during pregnancy.
Tramadol has been shown to be embryotoxic and fetotoxic in mice, rats and rabbits at maternally toxic doses of 120 mg/kg in mice, or higher in rats and 75 mg/kg in rabbits, but was not teratogenic at these dose levels. No harm to the fetus due to tramadol was seen at doses that were not maternally toxic.
No drug related teratogenic effects were observed in progeny of mice, rats or rabbits treated with tramadol (75 mg/kg for rats or 175 mg/kg for rabbits). Embryo and fetal toxicity consisted primarily of decreased fetal weights, skeletal ossification and increased supernumerary ribs at maternally toxic dose levels. Transient delays in development or behavioural parameters were also seen in pups from rat dams allowed to deliver. Embryo and fetal lethality were reported only in one rabbit study at 300 mg/kg, a dose that would cause extreme maternal toxicity in the rabbit.
In peri- and postnatal studies in rats, progeny of dams receiving oral (gavage) dose levels of 50 mg/kg had decreased weights and pup survival was decreased early in lactation at 80 mg/kg (6 to 10 times the maximum human dose). No toxicity was observed for progeny of dams receiving 8, 10, 20, 25 or 40 mg/kg. Maternal toxicity was observed at all dose levels.

Labour and delivery.

Tramadol should not be used in pregnant women prior to or during labour unless the potential benefits outweigh the risks, because safe use in pregnancy has not been established. Chronic use during pregnancy may lead to neonatal withdrawal symptoms. If tramadol were to be used during labour, it may cause respiratory depression in the newborn. Tramadol has been shown to cross the placenta. The mean ratio of serum tramadol in the umbilical veins compared to maternal veins was 0.83 for 40 women given tramadol during labour.
The effect of tramadol, if any, on the later growth, development, and functional maturation of the child is unknown.

Use in lactation.

Tramadol is not recommended during breast feeding, because its safety in infants and newborns has not been studied. Low levels of tramadol have been detected in breast milk. Following a single intravenous 100 mg dose of tramadol, the cumulative excretion in breast milk within 16 hours postdose was 100 microgram of tramadol (0.1% of the maternal dose) and 27 microgram of M1.

Paediatric use.

The use of tramadol is not recommended as safety and efficacy in children have not been established.

Genotoxicity.

Tramadol was not mutagenic in the following assays: Ames Salmonella microsomal activation test, CHO/HPRT mammalian cell assay, mouse lymphoma assay (in the presence of metabolic activation), dominant lethal mutation tests in mice, chromosome aberration test in Chinese hamster cells, and bone marrow micronucleus tests in mouse and Chinese hamster cells. Weakly mutagenic results occurred in the presence of metabolic activation in the mouse lymphoma assay and the micronucleus tests in rat cells. Overall, the weight of evidence from these tests indicates tramadol does not possess a genotoxic risk to humans.

Carcinogenicity.

A slight, but statistically significant increase in two common murine tumours (pulmonary and hepatic) was observed in a mouse carcinogenicity study, particularly in aged mice dosed orally up to 30 mg/kg for approximately two years. Although the study was not conducted using the Maximum Tolerated Dose, or at exposure levels expected in clinical use, this finding is not believed to suggest risk in humans. No such findings occurred in a rat carcinogenicity study.

Effect on ability to drive or operate machinery.

Due to its sedative effect, patients should be advised to avoid driving or operating machinery whilst taking tramadol.

Interactions

Use with central nervous system depressants.

Tramadol should be used with caution and in reduced dosages when administered to patients receiving CNS depressants, such as alcohol, opioids, anaesthetic agents, phenothiazines, tranquillisers or sedative hypnotics.
The combination of tramadol with mixed opiate agonists/ antagonists (e.g. buprenorphine, pentazocine) is not advisable because the analgesic effect of a pure agonist may be theoretically reduced in such circumstances.

Use with other serotonergic agents.

The presence of another drug that increases serotonin by any mechanism should alert the treating physician to the possibility of an interaction.
Concomitant therapeutic use of tramadol and serotonergic medicines such as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SRNIs), MAO inhibitors (see Contraindications), tricyclics antidepressants and mirtazapine may cause serotonin toxicity. Serotonin syndrome is likely when one of the following is observed:
Spontaneous clonus;
Inducible or ocular clonus with agitation or diaphoresis;
Tremor and hyperreflexia;
Hypertonia and body temperature >38°C and inducible or ocular clonus.
Withdrawal of the serotonergic medicines usually brings about a rapid improvement. Drug treatment depends on the nature and severity of the symptoms.

Use with coumarin derivatives.

Caution should be exercised during concomitant treatment with tramadol and coumarin derivatives (e.g. warfarin) due to reports of increased international normalised ratio (INR) with major bleeding and ecchymoses in some patients.

Drugs which reduce the seizure threshold.

Tramadol can induce convulsions and increase the potential for selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics and other seizure-threshold-lowering drugs (such as bupropion, mirtazapine, tetrahydrocannabinol) to cause convulsions.

Use with monoamine oxidase inhibitors.

Tramadol should not be used in patients who are taking MAOIs or who have taken them within the last 14 days, as tramadol inhibits the uptake of noradrenaline and serotonin (see Contraindications).

Other interactions.

Tramadol does not appear to induce its own metabolism in humans, since observed maximal serum concentrations after multiple oral doses are higher than expected based on single dose data. Tramadol is a mild inducer of selected drug metabolism pathways measured in animals.
Concomitant administration of tramadol with carbamazepine causes a significant increase in tramadol metabolism, presumably through metabolic induction by carbamazepine. Patients receiving chronic carbamazepine doses of up to 800 mg daily may require up to twice the recommended dose of tramadol.
Tramadol is metabolised to M1 by the CYP2D6 P450 isoenzyme. Drugs that selectively inhibit that isoenzyme (quinidine, phenothiazines, antipsychotic agents) may cause increased concentrations of tramadol and decreased concentrations of M1. The clinical consequences of these potential effects have not been fully investigated.
Concomitant administration of tramadol with cimetidine does not result in clinically significant changes in tramadol pharmacokinetics. Therefore no alteration of the tramadol dosage regimen is recommended.
Other drugs known to inhibit the CYP3A4 isoenzyme of cytochrome P450, e.g. ketoconazole and erythromycin, may inhibit the metabolism of tramadol (via N-demethylation) and probably the metabolism of the active O-demethylated metabolite (M1). The clinical importance of such an interaction has not been studied.
In a limited number of studies, the pre- or post-operative application of the antiemetic 5-HT3 antagonist ondansetron increased the requirement of tramadol in patients with postoperative pain.

Adverse Effects

Adverse reactions that may occur after administration of tramadol resemble those known to occur with opioids. Adverse reactions were recorded in 13,802 patients from trials with different formulations of tramadol. The nature and incidence of reactions (in CIOMS format where very common greater than or equal to 1/10; common greater than or equal to 1/100 and < 1/10; uncommon greater than or equal to 1/1,000 and < 1/100; rare greater than or equal to 1/10,000 and < 1/1,000; and very rare less than or equal to 1 /10,000) were as follows.

Immune system disorders.

Rare: shock reactions, anaphylaxis, allergic reactions.

Endocrine disorders.

Very rare: Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion characterised by hyponatraemia secondary to decreased freewater excretion.

Metabolism and nutrition disorders.

Rare: changes in appetite.

Psychiatric disorders.

Rare: hallucinations, confusion, sleep disturbance, anxiety, nightmares, changes in mood (usually euphoric mood, occasionally dysphoria), changes in activity (usually suppression, occasionally increase), changes in cognitive and sensorial capacity (e.g. decision behavior, perception disorders).

Nervous system disorders.

Very common: dizziness.
Common: autonomic nervous effects (mainly dry mouth, perspiration), headache, sedation, asthenia.
Uncommon: trembling.
Rare: speech disorders, paraesthesia, coordination disturbance, tremor, seizures, involuntary muscle contractions, syncope.

Eye disorders.

Rare: miosis, mydriasis, visual disturbance (blurred vision).

Cardiac disorders.

Uncommon: tachycardia, flushing.
Rare: bradycardia.

Vascular disorders.

Uncommon: orthostatic dysregulation (tendency to collapse and cardiovascular collapse).

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders.

Rare: dyspnoea, respiratory depression (when the recommended doses are considerably exceeded and other respiratory depressant substances are administered concomitantly).
Very rare: worsening of asthma (causality not established).

Gastrointestinal disorders.

Very common: nausea.
Common: vomiting, constipation.
Uncommon: dyspepsia, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, flatulence, urge to vomit.

Hepatobiliary disorders.

Very rare: elevated liver enzymes.

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders.

Common: sweating
Uncommon: skin reactions, pruritus, rash.

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders.

Rare: motor system weakness.

Renal and urinary disorders.

Rare: micturition disorders (difficulty in passing urine and urinary retention), dysuria.

General disorders and administration site conditions.

Common: fatigue.

Investigations.

Rare: increase in blood pressure.
The incidence of “CNS irritation” (dizziness), “autonomic nervous effects” (perspiration), “orthostatic dysregulation” (tendency to collapse and cardiovascular collapse) and tachycardia, and “nausea/urge to vomit/vomiting” can be increased with rapid intravenous administration and also tends to be dose dependent. No tests of significance have been performed.

Drug abuse and dependence.

Although tramadol can produce drug dependence of the mu-opioid type (like codeine or dextropropoxyphene) and potentially may be abused, there has been little evidence of abuse in clinical experience to date. In clinical trials, tramadol produced some effects similar to an opioid, and at supratherapeutic doses was recognised as an opioid in subjective/ behavioural studies. Part of the activity of tramadol is thought to be derived from its active metabolite, which is responsible for some delay in onset of activity and some extension of the duration of mu-opioid activity. Delayed mu-opioid activity is believed to reduce a drug's abuse liability.

Tolerance and withdrawal.

Tolerance development has been reported to be relatively mild. Symptoms of withdrawal reactions, similar to those occurring during opiate withdrawal, may occur as follows: agitation, anxiety, nervousness, insomnia, hyperkinesia, tremor, pyrexia, myalgia, chills and gastrointestinal symptoms. Other symptoms that have very rarely been seen with tramadol discontinuation include panic attacks, severe anxiety, hallucinations, paraesthesiae, tinnitus and unusual CNS symptoms (i.e. confusion, delusions, personalization, derealization, paranoia).

Dosage and Administration

The dose of tramadol should be titrated according to the severity of the pain and the clinical response of the individual patient.
The recommended dosage of Tramadol Amneal 50 mg capsules in adults and adolescents over the age of 12 years is as follows.
For the treatment of moderate pain, 50 mg to 100 mg of tramadol administered orally, two or three times daily may be sufficient. An initial dose of 50 mg of tramadol may be sufficient for moderate pain.
For moderate to severe pain, oral doses of 50 mg to 100 mg of tramadol, as needed for pain relief, every four to six hours may be administered. A 100 mg initial dose of tramadol is usually more effective for more severe pain.
The maximum daily dose should not exceed 400 mg per day.

Paediatric use.

Use of tramadol is not recommended as safety and efficacy in children have not been established.

Use in the elderly.

In subjects over the age of 75 years, serum concentrations are slightly elevated and the elimination half life is slightly prolonged. Subjects in this age group are also expected to vary more widely in their ability to tolerate adverse drug effects. Daily doses in excess of 300 mg are not recommended in patients over 75 years.

Renal insufficiency.

In patients with renal insufficiency the elimination of tramadol is delayed. In these patients prolongation of the dosage intervals should be carefully considered according to the patient’s requirements. Since only 7% of an administered dose is removed by haemodialysis, dialysis patients can receive their regular dose on the day of dialysis.

Hepatic insufficiency.

In hepatic impairment, the initial oral dose of tramadol is 50 mg. Depending on the severity of impairment and individual clinical response, the recommended dosage interval (4 to 6 hours) may need to be extended, and/or the dose level titrated as required.

Overdosage

Few cases of overdose with tramadol have been reported.

Symptoms.

Symptoms of overdosage with tramadol are similar to those of other centrally acting analgesics (opioids) and include miosis, vomiting, cardiovascular collapse, consciousness disorders including coma, convulsions, respiratory depression and respiratory arrest.

Treatment.

Should overdosage occur, general emergency measures should be implemented. Keep the respiratory airways open and maintain respiration and circulation. If overdosage is due to ingestion of a sustained release oral dose form of tramadol, emptying the stomach by gastric lavage should be considered because of the possibility of ongoing release in the stomach. Activated charcoal may reduce absorption of the drug if given within one to two hours after ingestion. In patients who are not fully conscious or have impaired gag reflex, consideration should be given to administering activated charcoal via a nasogastric tube, once the airway is protected. Naloxone will reverse respiratory depression, but not all symptoms caused by overdosage with tramadol. Convulsions occurring in mice following the administration of toxic doses of tramadol could be suppressed with barbiturates or benzodiazepines, but were increased with naloxone. Naloxone did not change the lethality of an overdose in mice.
Tramadol is minimally eliminated from the serum by haemodialysis or haemo filtration. Therefore, treatment of overdosage with tramadol with haemodialysis or haemofiltration alone is not suitable for detoxification.
Contact the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126 for further advice on overdosage management.

Presentation

Tramadol Amneal 50 mg capsules are hard gelatin capsules, size 3, having green cap and yellow body filled with a homogeneous white to off-white powder, containing tramadol hydrochloride 50 mg; PVC/PVDC/Al blister pack of 20 capsules.

Storage

Tramadol Amneal 50 mg capsules should be stored below 25°C in their original container.

Poison Schedule

S4.