Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ASTRAMORPH PF versus ULTRAM ER.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: ASTRAMORPH PF versus ULTRAM ER.
ASTRAMORPH PF vs ULTRAM ER
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Mu-opioid receptor agonist; produces analgesia, sedation, and euphoria by mimicking endogenous endorphins.
Tramadol is a centrally acting synthetic opioid analgesic that binds to μ-opioid receptors and inhibits serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake.
Intravenous: 8-10 mg over 2-5 minutes; may be repeated every 8-12 hours as needed. Oral (immediate release): 10-20 mg every 4-6 hours as needed. Oral (extended release): 10-40 mg every 12 hours.
100 mg orally once daily initially, titrate up to 100 mg twice daily as needed; maximum 200 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life: 2-4 hours; prolonged in renal impairment (up to 12 hours in anuria) and elderly
The terminal elimination half-life of tramadol is approximately 6.3 hours (range 5-9 hours), while its active metabolite M1 has a half-life of about 7.4 hours. Clinically, this supports dosing every 24 hours for the extended-release formulation.
Renal: 70-80% unchanged; Biliary/Fecal: 10-20% as metabolites
Renal excretion of tramadol and its metabolites accounts for approximately 90% of total elimination. About 10% is excreted unchanged, 30% as O-desmethyltramadol (M1), and the remainder as other minor metabolites. Biliary/fecal excretion is minimal (<10%).
Category C
Category C
Opioid Analgesic
Opioid Analgesic