Serious and Life-Threatening Risks from Use of Tramadol Hcl and Acetaminophen Tablets

Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse

• Because the use of tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions.

Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression

• Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase. To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen are essential.

Accidental Ingestion

• Accidental ingestion of even one dose of tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of tramadol.

Risks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants

• Concomitant use of opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system (CNS) depressants, including alcohol, may result in profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Reserve concomitant prescribing of tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen and benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options are inadequate.

Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome (NOWS)

• If opioid use is required for an extended period of time in a pregnant woman, advise the patient of the risk of NOWS, which may be life-threatening if not recognized and treated. Ensure that management by neonatology experts will be available at delivery.

• Healthcare providers are strongly encouraged to complete a REMS-compliant education program and to counsel patients and caregivers on serious risks, safe use, and the importance of reading the Medication Guide with each prescription.

Ultra-Rapid Metabolism of Tramadol and Other Risk Factors for Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression in Children

• Life-threatening respiratory depression and death have occurred in children who received tramadol. Some of the reported cases occurred following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy, and in at least one case, the child had evidence of being an ultra-rapid metabolizer of tramadol due to a CYP2D6 polymorphism. Tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen is contraindicated in children younger than 12 years of age and in children younger than 18 years of age following tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy. Avoid the use of tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen in adolescents 12 to 18 years of age who have other risk factors that may increase their sensitivity to the respiratory depressant effects of tramadol.

Interactions with Drugs Affecting Cytochrome P450 Isoenzymes

• The effects of concomitant use or discontinuation of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with tramadol are complex. Use of cytochrome P450 3A4 inducers, 3A4 inhibitors, or 2D6 inhibitors with tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen requires careful consideration of the effects on the parent drug, tramadol, and the active metabolite, M1.

Hepatotoxicity

• Tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen tablets contain tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen. Acetaminophen has been associated with cases of acute liver failure, at times resulting in liver transplant and death. Most of the cases of liver injury are associated with the use of acetaminophen at doses that exceed 4,000 milligrams per day, and often involve more than one acetaminophen-containing product.