Contraindications Of Ultram And Coumadin
Blog Topic: Contraindications of Ultram and Coumadin; Medication Following Heart Valve Surgery With Mechanical Valve Replacements
Earlier today I received an interesting question regarding Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium) and the drug Ultram. Specifically, the question read, “Are there any contraindications of Ultram and Coumadin?”.
I have to admit, this is the first time I ever heard this question. That said, I became intrigued by the possibility of learning even more about Coumadin and whether or not there were any contraindications of Ultram and Coumadin.
As you may know, heart valve replacement patients which select mechanical valves are typically required to use Coumadin (generic name Warfarin) to preven clots from forming on the mechanical valves. You can read more about Coumadin here and you can read more about mechanical valves (also known as prosthetic valves) here.
That said, heart valve replacement patients are required to take Coumadin for the rest of their lives. Some patients have no reaction to the drug while other patients find this requirement tiresome. (For this reason, I opted to have my aortic valve replaced using the Ross Procedure.)
Anyways, I just went scouring through the internet to try and answer the question, “Are there any contraindications of Ultram and Coumadin?”
First, you should know that Ultram is a narcotic-like pain reliever. The generic name of Ultram is tramadol. Ultram is used to treat moderate to severe pain. I could go on and on about the drug. If you would like, here is a link to Ultram’s profile at Drugs.com.
Interestingly enough, it appears that there may just be contraindications of Ultram and Coumadin. There is a section on the Ultram website that reads, “Before taking Ultram, tell your doctor if you also use Coumadin.”
It doesn’t say anything else. I did some more surfing around the Internet but didn’t find any additional information that I would consider valuable.
If you know of anything about this potential drug interaction, please leave some information in the comments field below.
Keep on tickin,
Adam
Adam Pick is the author of The Patient’s Guide To Heart Valve Surgery, a unique book which integrates the clinical facts of heart valve surgery with the personal experiences of an actual heart valve surgery patient. This special book was designed to minimize stress and enhance the patient’s recovery. To learn more about Adam’s heart valve surgery book, click here.
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August 30th, 2007 at 5:11 am
If someone is taking coumadin(warfarin) and starts taking tramadol(ultram), there is a possibility of having increased INR levels(coumadin working too well) and possible incresed risk of bleeding. Thus…your doctor needs to know so he can check INR and adjust coumadin dose if needed.
August 31st, 2007 at 9:36 am
[…] The other day, I wrote a blog about the Contraindications of Ultram and Coumadin. Since then, I have been bombarded with questions about other potential issues, conflicts and side-effects of Coumadin (Warfarin Sodium). […]
August 31st, 2007 at 10:22 pm
[…] Dr. Robert Light has already begun sharing his thoughts on prior blogs including Coumadin and Prilosec as well as Contraindications of Ultram and Coumadin. […]
September 12th, 2008 at 9:08 am
I take ultram and warfarin and have not had any inr problems.
October 11th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
I was hospitalized recently, and this WHOLE thing is SCARY silly !!!!! I have been on Ultram/Tramadol for quite some time … just put me on Coumadin/Wafarin last week. My friends can tell the difference [I’m crankier, stressed, tired, confused] — my level were okay when I was first tested — but I quit with my morning Green Tea, and the salads I had that eaten last weekend ….
I’m worried and confused ~ also concerned about what they told me in the hospital about Bleeding In The Brain !!! Yikes — Does anyone have any advice ?? (besides a shrink)