Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release

2 DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of extended-release/long-acting opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks. ( 2.1 ) Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals. Reserve titration to higher doses of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules for patients in whom lower doses are insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using a higher dose opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks. ( 2 , 5 ) Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient's underlying cause and severity of pain, prior analgesic treatment and response, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse. ( 2.1 , 5.1 ) Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following dosage increases with Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules. Consider this risk when selecting an initial dose and when making dose adjustments. ( 2.1 , 5.2 ) Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules are administered orally once daily. ( 2.1 ) Discuss opioid overdose reversal agents and options for acquiring them with the patient and/or caregiver, both when initiating and renewing treatment with Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, especially if the patient has additional risk factors for overdose, or close contacts at risk for exposure and overdose. ( 2.2 , 5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3 ) For patients currently on tramadol IR: Calculate total 24-hr IR dose, and initiate Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules at a dose rounded down to next lower 100 mg increment; then adjust dose according to need and tolerance. See full prescribing information for instructions on conversion, titration, and maintenance of therapy. ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) For patients converting from other opioid analgesics: Discontinue all other opioid analgesics other than as needed for breakthrough pain and initiate Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules at a dose of 100 mg once daily, then titrate up by 100 mg increments every 5 days according to need and tolerance. ( 2.3 , 2.4 ) Do not exceed a daily dose of 300 mg tramadol. Do not use with other tramadol products. ( 2.4 ) Periodically reassess patients receiving CONZIP to evaluate the continued need for opioid analgesics to maintain pain control, for the signs or symptoms of adverse reactions, and for the development of addiction, abuse, or misuse. ( 2.4 ) Do not rapidly reduce or abruptly discontinue Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules in a physically-dependent patient because rapid reduction or abrupt discontinuation of opioid analgesics has resulted in serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicide. ( 2.5 , 5.18 ) 2.1 Important Dosage and Administration Instructions Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules should be prescribed only by healthcare professionals who are knowledgeable about the use of extended-release/long-acting opioids and how to mitigate the associated risks. Do not use Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules concomitantly with other tramadol products [see Warnings and Precautions (5.7) , (5.15) ]. Do not administer Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules at a dose exceeding 300 mg per day. Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration of time consistent with individual patient treatment goals [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ] . Because the risk of overdose increases as opioid doses increase, reserve titration to higher doses of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules for patients in whom lower doses are insufficiently effective and in whom the expected benefits of using a higher dose opioid clearly outweigh the substantial risks. Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient's underlying cause and severity of pain, prior analgesic treatment and response, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]. Respiratory depression can occur at any time during opioid therapy, especially when initiating and following dosage increases with Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules. Consider this risk when selecting an initial dose and when making dose adjustments [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ] . Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules are administered orally once daily. Instruct patients to swallow Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules capsules whole, and to take it with liquid. Breaking, chewing, splitting, or dissolving Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules will result in uncontrolled delivery of tramadol and can lead to overdose or death [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ] . Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules may be taken without regard to food. It is recommended that Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules be taken in a consistent manner [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ] . 2.2 Patient Access to an Opioid Overdose Reversal Agent for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose Inform patients and caregivers about opioid overdose reversal agents (e.g., naloxone, nalmefene). Discuss the importance of having access to an opioid overdose reversal agent, especially if the patient has risk factors for overdose (e.g., concomitant use of CNS depressants, a history of opioid use disorder, or prior opioid overdose) or if there are household members (including children) or other close contacts at risk for accidental ingestion or opioid overdose. The presence of risk factors for overdose should not prevent the management of pain in any patient [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.2 , 5.3) ] . Discuss the options for obtaining an opioid overdose reversal agent (e.g., prescription, over-the-counter, or as part of a community-based program) [see Warnings and Precautions (5.2) ]. There are important differences among the opioid overdose reversal agents, such as route of administration, product strength, approved patient age range, and pharmacokinetics. Be familiar with these differences, as outlined in the approved labeling for those products, prior to recommending or prescribing such an agent. 2.3 Initial Dosage It is safer to underestimate a patient's 24-hour tramadol requirements and provide rescue medication (e.g., immediate-release opioid) than to overestimate the 24-hour tramadol dosage and manage an adverse reaction due to an overdose. While useful tables of opioid equivalents are readily available, there is inter-patient variability in the potency of opioid drugs and opioid formulations. Frequently reevaluate patients for signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal and for signs of oversedation/toxicity after converting patients to Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules. Use of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules The initial dose of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules is 100 mg once daily. Patients Currently on Tramadol Immediate-Release (IR) Products Calculate the 24-hour tramadol IR dose and initiate a total daily dose of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules rounded down to the next lowest 100 mg increment. The dose should be taken once daily. The dose may subsequently be individualized according to patient need. Due to limitations in flexibility of dose selection with Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, some patients maintained on tramadol IR products may not be able to convert to Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules. Conversion from Other Opioid Analgesics to Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules When Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules therapy is initiated, discontinue all opioid analgesics other than those used on an as needed basis for breakthrough pain when appropriate. There are no established conversion ratios for conversion from other opioids to Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules defined by clinical trials. Initiate dosing using Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules 100 mg once a day. 2.4 Titration and Maintenance Therapy Individually titrate Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules by 100 mg every five days to a dose that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes adverse reactions. The maximum daily dose of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules is 300 mg per day. Continually reevaluate patients receiving Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules to assess the maintenance of pain control, signs and symptoms of opioid withdrawal, and other adverse reactions, as well as to reassess for the development of addiction, abuse, or misuse [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1 , 5.18) ] . Frequent communication is important among the prescriber, other members of the healthcare team, the patient, and the caregiver/family during periods of changing analgesic requirements, including initial titration. During use of opioid therapy for an extended period of time, periodically reassess the continued need for the use of opioid analgesics. Patients who experience breakthrough pain may require a dosage adjustment of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules or may need rescue medication with an appropriate dose of an immediate-release analgesic. If the level of pain increases after dosage stabilization, attempt to identify the source of increased pain before increasing the Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules dosage. If after increasing the dosage, unacceptable opioid-related adverse reactions are observed (including an increase in pain after a dosage increase), consider reducing the dosage [see Warnings and Precautions (5) ] . Adjust the dosage to obtain an appropriate balance between management of pain and opioid-related adverse reactions. 2.5 Safe Reduction or Discontinuation of Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules Do not rapidly reduce or abruptly discontinue Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules in patients who may be physically dependent on opioids. Rapid reduction or abrupt discontinuation of opioid analgesics in patients who are physically dependent on opioids has resulted in serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicide. Rapid reduction or abrupt discontinuation has also been associated with attempts to find other sources of opioid analgesics, which may be confused with drug-seeking for abuse. Patients may also attempt to treat their pain or withdrawal symptoms with illicit opioids, such as heroin, and other substances. When a decision has been made to decrease the dose or discontinue therapy in an opioid-dependent patient taking Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules, there are a variety of factors that should be considered, including the total daily dose of opioid (including Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules) the patient has been taking, the duration of treatment, the type of pain being treated, and the physical and psychological attributes of the patient. It is important to ensure ongoing care of the patient and to agree on an appropriate tapering schedule and follow-up plan so that patient and provider goals and expectations are clear and realistic. When opioid analgesics are being discontinued due to a suspected substance use disorder, evaluate and treat the patient, or refer for evaluation and treatment of the substance use disorder. Treatment should include evidence-based approaches, such as medication assisted treatment of opioid use disorder. Complex patients with comorbid pain and substance use disorders may benefit from referral to a specialist. There are no standard opioid tapering schedules that are suitable for all patients. Good clinical practice dictates a patient-specific plan to taper the dose of the opioid gradually. For patients on Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules who are physically opioid-dependent, initiate the taper by a small enough increment (e.g., no greater than 10% to 25% of the total daily dose) to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and proceed with dose-lowering at an interval of every 2 to 4 weeks. Patients who have been taking opioids for briefer periods of time may tolerate a more rapid taper. It may be necessary to provide the patient with lower dosage strengths to accomplish a successful taper. Reassess the patient frequently to manage pain and withdrawal symptoms, should they emerge. Common withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, and mydriasis. Other signs and symptoms also may develop, including irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate. If withdrawal symptoms arise, it may be necessary to pause the taper for a period of time or raise the dose of the opioid analgesic to the previous dose, and then proceed with a slower taper. In addition, evaluate patients for any changes in mood, emergence of suicidal thoughts, or use of other substances. When managing patients taking opioid analgesics, particularly those who have been treated for an extended period of time and/or with high doses for chronic pain, ensure that a multimodal approach to pain management, including mental health support (if needed), is in place prior to initiating an opioid analgesic taper. A multimodal approach to pain management may optimize the treatment of chronic pain, as well as assist with the successful tapering of the opioid analgesic [see Warnings and Precautions (5.18) , Drug Abuse and Dependence (9.3) ] .

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1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE Tramadol Hydrochloride Extended-Release Capsules are indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid analgesic and that cannot be adequately treated with alternative options, including immediate-release opioids.