Ultracet
Ultracet is a tablet made by Janssen that contains Tramadol 37.5 mg + Paracetamol 325 mg. It combines Tramadol: opioid painkiller and Paracetamol: pain reliever and fever reducer.
| Ingredient (salt) | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tramadol | 37.5 mg |
| Paracetamol | 325 mg |
Tramadol
What it is used for
Treats moderate to severe pain when ordinary painkillers are not enough.
How it works
An opioid that acts on the brain's opioid receptors and also raises serotonin and noradrenaline, which dampens pain signals.
How to take it
Usually 50 to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours, no more than 400 mg a day; slow-release forms are taken once or twice a day. Use the lowest dose for the shortest time, and do not stop suddenly after long use.
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Headache
- Sweating
- Dry mouth
Get medical help straight away if
- Slow or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness or confusion
- A seizure
- Agitation, fever, shivering and fast heartbeat (serotonin syndrome)
Be careful
Can cause drowsiness and dependence. Do not drive or drink alcohol; controlled prescription medicine.
Other medicines and interactions
Dangerous with alcohol, sleeping pills, benzodiazepines and other opioids (breathing can slow). Raises seizure and serotonin syndrome risk with antidepressants (SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics), and with ondansetron. Can be habit-forming.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Avoid in pregnancy unless clearly needed; use near birth can cause withdrawal or breathing problems in the newborn. Not recommended while breastfeeding.
Paracetamol
What it is used for
Brings down fever and eases mild to moderate pain such as headache, body ache and toothache.
How it works
It works in the brain to raise the pain threshold and acts on the body's temperature centre to bring a fever down. Unlike NSAIDs it has little effect on swelling and is gentle on the stomach.
How to take it
Usual adult dose is 500 mg to 1 g every 4 to 6 hours, no more than 4 g (for example eight 500 mg tablets) in 24 hours; lower if you weigh under 50 kg, drink alcohol regularly or have liver disease. Children's doses go by weight. It can be taken with or without food.
Common side effects
- Side effects are rare at normal doses
- Occasionally rash or nausea
Get medical help straight away if
- You took more than the maximum dose, even if you feel well (liver damage shows up only after 1 to 3 days)
- Yellow skin or eyes
- A rash with blistering
Be careful
Too much damages the liver. Many cold and pain medicines also contain it, so avoid taking two at once; avoid with heavy alcohol use.
Other medicines and interactions
Many cold, flu and combination painkillers already contain paracetamol, so check every label to avoid a double dose. Regular high use can strengthen the effect of warfarin. Heavy alcohol use raises the risk of liver damage.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Paracetamol is the usual first choice for pain and fever in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, at the lowest dose that works for the shortest time.
Same composition, other brands (8)
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching brands.
Common questions
What is Ultracet?
Ultracet is a tablet by Janssen containing Tramadol 37.5 mg + Paracetamol 325 mg.
What is Ultracet used for?
Treats moderate to severe pain when ordinary painkillers are not enough. Brings down fever and eases mild to moderate pain such as headache, body ache and toothache.
How should I take Ultracet?
Usually 50 to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours, no more than 400 mg a day; slow-release forms are taken once or twice a day. Use the lowest dose for the shortest time, and do not stop suddenly after long use. Usual adult dose is 500 mg to 1 g every 4 to 6 hours, no more than 4 g (for example eight 500 mg tablets) in 24 hours; lower if you weigh under 50 kg, drink alcohol regularly or have liver disease. Children's doses go by weight. It can be taken with or without food. Always follow the dose your doctor or the pack gives.
What are the side effects of Ultracet?
Common side effects include: Nausea, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, headache, sweating, dry mouth, Side effects are rare at normal doses, occasionally rash or nausea. Get medical help straight away for: Slow or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness or confusion, a seizure, agitation, fever, shivering and fast heartbeat (serotonin syndrome), You took more than the maximum dose, even if you feel well (liver damage shows up only after 1 to 3 days), yellow skin or eyes, a rash with blistering.
Does Ultracet need a prescription?
Yes. In India it is a prescription (Schedule H) medicine, so a pharmacist should sell it only with a doctor's prescription.
Can I take Ultracet in pregnancy or while breastfeeding?
Avoid in pregnancy unless clearly needed; use near birth can cause withdrawal or breathing problems in the newborn. Not recommended while breastfeeding. Paracetamol is the usual first choice for pain and fever in pregnancy and while breastfeeding, at the lowest dose that works for the shortest time.
What are the substitutes for Ultracet?
Brands with the same composition: Ultranise, Calpol T, Augtram, Pyrigesic T, Ultram, Ultramed, Trabest, Acuvin. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Sources and further reading
- Tramadol: NHS · MedlinePlus
- Paracetamol: NHS · MedlinePlus
NHS (UK National Health Service) and MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) are free, reviewed medicine guides. Brand names and doses there may differ from India.
Composition checked against pack details from large Indian online pharmacies. Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.
🔎 Search another medicine