Tramacet combines tramadol 37.5 mg with paracetamol 325 mg. It is a prescription painkiller for moderate to severe pain when ordinary painkillers are not enough — after surgery or injury, dental pain, and back and musculoskeletal pain. Do not take additional paracetamol with it.
What is Tramacet?
Tramacet is registered in South Africa as Schedule 5 — prescription-only with additional controls:
| Contains | Per tablet |
|---|---|
| Tramadol hydrochloride | 37.5 mg |
| Paracetamol | 325 mg |
The same combination is available as Tamoltra and Doltrex Co. Being dispensed one rather than another is ordinary generic substitution.
The two ingredients work by different mechanisms, which is the reason for combining them — better relief than either alone, at a lower opioid dose than tramadol on its own would need. Paracetamol also acts faster than tramadol, so the combination gives earlier onset with more sustained relief.
Paracetamol relieves pain and fever, acting mainly within the central nervous system.
Tramadol is an opioid, but an unusual one, working two ways at once:
- It acts weakly on opioid receptors, the same targets as codeine and morphine.
- It increases serotonin and noradrenaline in the spinal cord, independently reducing pain transmission — the mechanism some antidepressants use against nerve pain.
That dual action makes it useful for pain with a nerve component, and it also creates the serotonin interaction described below.
Tramadol depends on your genetics. A liver enzyme converts it into a form far more active at opioid receptors, and people vary considerably in how fast they do this. Some get little relief; a smaller number convert rapidly and get an unexpectedly strong effect.
What is Tramacet commonly used for?
- Moderate to severe acute pain, where paracetamol or an anti-inflammatory alone has not been enough.
- Pain after surgery, a common short-course use.
- Pain after injury.
- Dental pain, in more severe cases.
- Back and musculoskeletal pain, for short courses.
- Osteoarthritis pain, where other options are unsuitable or insufficient.
- Nerve-related pain, where tramadol’s serotonin and noradrenaline effect can help.
It is intended for short-term use in most situations. Tramadol is an opioid, and tolerance, dependence and withdrawal all occur with continued use. It is generally added to — not substituted for — simple painkillers and anti-inflammatories, which work by different mechanisms.
It relieves pain; it does not treat the cause.
How Tramacet fits into this medicine category
| Group | Examples | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Simple analgesics | Paracetamol (Donapan) | Pain and fever; little anti-inflammatory effect |
| NSAIDs | Ibuprofen, naproxen | Pain and inflammation |
| Paracetamol + codeine | Napacod, Stilpane | Moderate pain; available from a pharmacist |
| Paracetamol + tramadol | Tramacet, Tamoltra | Stronger combination; prescription-only |
| Strong opioids | Morphine, oxycodone | Severe pain |
| Corticosteroids | Prednisone | Powerful anti-inflammatory, as courses |
Pain treatment is usually stepped: simple analgesics first, an opioid added if needed, at the lowest effective dose for the shortest time. See the pain, inflammation and musculoskeletal medicines hub.
What to check before using Tramacet
Check every other medicine you take for paracetamol. This is the most important practical point. Cold and flu remedies, sinus products and other painkillers frequently contain it, and doubling up is the leading cause of accidental paracetamol overdose — which can cause fatal liver damage without early symptoms.
Do not combine it with alcohol or other sedatives. Tramadol with alcohol, benzodiazepines such as diazepam, sleeping tablets or sedating antihistamines can dangerously suppress breathing.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- Have epilepsy or a history of seizures. Tramadol lowers the seizure threshold — a genuine and specific risk with this medicine.
- Take an antidepressant — SSRIs, SNRIs, tricyclics — or triptans for migraine, linezolid, or an MAOI. These raise serotonin and, with tramadol, can cause serotonin syndrome.
- Have kidney or liver disease.
- Have breathing problems, sleep apnoea or COPD.
- Have a head injury or raised pressure in the brain.
- Have a history of substance misuse or dependence.
- Are elderly, where sedation, confusion and falls are more likely.
- Weigh under 50 kg, which affects the maximum safe paracetamol amount.
- Drink alcohol heavily, or have liver disease.
- Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Take other opioids, or warfarin.
- Are giving it to a child or adolescent — tramadol is generally avoided under 12, and after certain surgery.
Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Possible cautions and when to ask a pharmacist or doctor
Common effects are nausea, vomiting, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, dry mouth, headache and sweating. Nausea and dizziness often settle after the first days. Constipation does not settle on its own — increase fluid and fibre, and ask a pharmacist about a laxative if it persists.
Seek medical attention urgently if you notice:
- Slow, shallow or difficult breathing, or unusual difficulty waking someone. This is an emergency.
- A seizure.
- Agitation, confusion, fever, sweating, shivering, muscle twitching, a racing heart or marked restlessness — possible serotonin syndrome, particularly if you also take an antidepressant. It can develop over hours and needs urgent assessment.
- Severe drowsiness or confusion.
- Swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing.
- A severe rash or blistering skin.
- Chest pain or palpitations.
Treat any suspected paracetamol overdose as an emergency. Go to hospital with the packaging even if the person feels entirely well — liver damage develops silently and the antidote works best given early. This applies to gradual excess too: taking slightly too much over several days, or adding a cold remedy containing paracetamol, can cause harm without any single large dose.
Do not stop suddenly after regular use. Tramadol withdrawal causes anxiety, sweating, insomnia, nausea, tremor and agitation, and can include unusual symptoms such as confusion and perceptual disturbance. A doctor will reduce it gradually.
Tell your doctor if pain is not controlled, if you need it for longer than planned, or if you find yourself taking more than prescribed. Raising it early makes dependence far easier to address.
Related medicine guides
- Browse Pain, Inflammation & Musculoskeletal Medicines guides
- Read: Prednisone used for
- Read: Donapan used for
Frequently asked questions
What are Tramacet tablets used for? Moderate to severe pain where ordinary painkillers have not been enough — after surgery or injury, dental pain, and back and musculoskeletal pain. Each tablet contains tramadol 37.5 mg with paracetamol 325 mg.
Is Tramacet a strong painkiller? It contains an opioid, but a relatively weak one — stronger than paracetamol alone, weaker than morphine. How well it works varies genuinely between people.
Can I take paracetamol with it? No. It already contains paracetamol, and adding more risks serious overdose. Check cold and flu remedies as well.
Can I take ibuprofen with it? They work differently and are often used together on advice. That is separate from the paracetamol caution.
Is Tramacet addictive? Tolerance and dependence can develop with continued use, which is why it is Schedule 5 and intended for short courses.
Can I drink alcohol with it? No. The combination can dangerously suppress breathing, and alcohol also raises the risk of liver harm from paracetamol.
Why does it interact with antidepressants? Tramadol raises serotonin, as many antidepressants do. Together they can cause serotonin syndrome, a serious reaction.
Can I stop taking it suddenly? Not after regular use. Tramadol withdrawal is unpleasant — ask your doctor to reduce it gradually.