I was prescribed Ultram (brand name) for years to treat stomach pain and it was a miracle drug for me (helping with mood, energy and lifted anxious feelings as well). I normally take 50 mg a day (25 mg twice daily). Now, sadly, Ultram is no longer available and I have been searching to find a manufacturer with hopes I’ll find one that works as well as Ultram did. Manufacturers I’ve tried are: Amneal, Virtus, and Sun Pharmaceutical (Caraco) and they all give me some form of anxiety; don’t lift my mood and don’t help relieve pain like Ultram did. I understand everyone reacts differently to medication, but if there is a specific manufacturer that has worked well for you and your willing to share please do. Thank you so much!!
Which tramadol manufacturers work best?
Question posted by Anonymous on 18 May 2021
Last updated on 6 February 2025 (11 weeks ago) by sliffer
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9 Answers
I used to take ultram as well, the generic tramadol now, 50mg hcl. Teva used to be the best, everything ultra was, it was marked TV on one side, 58 on the other. Now it has changed and the markings TV on one side, T7 on the other. I have to say out of all of them I tried, all that you have and more, I would say to try the one from Sun pharma again, I am pretty sure with opioid crises all the mfg had changed per FDA. I am 62 years old, severe pain and I do not want something stronger but the tramadol is terrible now, barely works and I only took 1 a day, now 3 a day and I am still in pain. Called TEVA asked them questions, they would not answer but kept bugging me to fill out a report. Again, I would give Sun pharma a try again.
I have used the Teva brand (TV 58 pill for Tramadol HCL 50mg) for at least a decade and it worked wonders for me. It decreased orthopedic pain, was relaxing and helped with sleep, yet didn't cause brain fog or any other side effects. CVS always carried Teva. At one point I tried Amneal and didn't like it at all.
I believe Teva tramadol was temporarily on back order in Fall of 2024 as they changed from the old TV58 pill to the new TV7T pill. Has anyone used the new TV7T pill yet and how does it compare to the old TV58? Or does anyone have another brand that find to be comparable to Teva?
Hi Bareretta9988, I was given a refill of my Tramadol @ a week ago. I was so happy to see the mfg was Teva since it use to work better than the others, and It has the TV7T print. I haven’t tried them yet to see if it’s like the older version. I still have @ 10 pills to finish before I open that one. I don’t want to get my hopes up as the one I’m taking now, the Mtg is Caraco/Sun Pharm (oblong # 377) and does not stop the pain at all. I usually take 2 of the 50 mg. from other mfg and get a @ 2,hours of relief. This # 377 I tried taking 3 of the 50 mg. and still no relief, just very severe dizziness that I have to lay down or feel like I’m going to pass out. Which I’m sure is because of too much med, but it’s still not easing the pain. I called the Dr and they advised I go back to taking 2 pills and take 2 of the Aleve Back and Muscle pain pills ( over the counter). Still no pain relief, but the dizziness is better.
I may go ahead and start taking the Teva to see if it works. I’ll be updating in a few days to let you know. I’m praying it works
I’m in the same boat! I’ve been on Tramadol for well over 20+ yrs (I’m 69). I think it was the Teva I was on for a long time and worked great. Then like most @ 6 mths ago they started switching me to different manufacturer. Sadly I don’t remember the 1st one they switched too, but it did nothing at all for my pain. I asked the pharmacy to switch me to a different company. They put me on Anneal (a longer oval shape), which was just ok but it only kept the pain away for @ 2-3 hours.I Picked up my script today, same manufacturer, except the pills are round. I took a dose when I got home.. after 3 hours still no relief at all. I have 3 major bone issues in my spine. I take 100 mg (2 of 50 mil) and on Teva the pain stayed away for @ 5 hours. So now I’m to suffer with no relief for 30 days. I will ask for the brand that someone said she got and worked as good as the original.
Can’t remember if it was the same person, but someone mentioned they found it in Maryland. On the Amneal my anxiety and stress is through the roof, I even take an extra med for anxiety! I’ll keep it posted if I find anything else. ** I saw somewhere that I can only answer a person once. So not sure how that works! Wish you luck!
I have taken all the same ones you have, & NONE of them help with my pain at all. The best one I have tried, which I have only been able to find at CVS is by Teva. My 2nd choice is by Sun. I just had a new script filled, but they are out of the Teva, so they gave me one by Avagen. I have not tried it yet. I'll keep you posted. I pray it works as well as the Teva
Just got a return email from TEVA manufacturer stating the 50's are on back order... still. It's the best generic but now not available. They can't tell me who in my area carries/dispenses it as they turn it over to a distributor. Avagen is WORTHLESS. They should be held accountable by someone. Have found by my online searches that it may be that the 'fillers' they use that are stopping them from working as they must have the working ingredients. Right. Again as with everything it's about $$. I don't need to save $50. I just need my medication as I am one of the 2% that can't take any NSAID at all including and starting with aspirin. I'm sure there are many of you out there in my position. When I got the attention of the pharmacist at CVS and told him about the ineffectiveness of the Aavgen he stood there with a blank look on his face not blinking until I walked away. Please feel free to email me or this site with any info and all 'venting'. I'm with you on this quest.
I have an update on the Avagen. At the time I posted, I had not yet tried the Avagen. I have now tried it, & it seems to work as well as the Teva. I get this at CVS. I don't think CVS in every state carries the same brands though. I live in Maryland.
The FDA only has guidelines for drug manufacturers. Pills can be replaced by generic or a close replacement drug. Not all generic are totally the same but very close to the original drug.
Ultra worked great for me. It was replaced with Tramadol a suitable replacement aka Generic.
The white Tramadol imprint 355 U has a coating ( easier to swallow and easier to digest) butit does work for me for it doesn't digest in my stomach so no benifet for me.
I have found a manufacturer Uni Pharmaceutical, they make a yellow pill, imprint 018 , it either doesn't have a coating or a slight one. It works better for me then any of the other tramadol . You may ask your Doctor an ER capsule for tramadol is avalable.
It is my understanding, according to the FDA, every generic drug manufacturer is required to formulate their medications exactly the same, so that they have the same effect generic or brand name. I have not noticed any difference in the Tramadol I received through my mail pharmacy, which is generically different pills sometimes. But I also haven't really been evaluating or paying attention to whether or not there's any difference. But there is an FDA law, if that's the right word, that mandates all pharmaceutical manufacturers ensure that their product is the same strength as all others and works just as effectively.
Amneal
I know this is an older post, but I am going through a similar situation. Did you ever find any manufacturer that makes Tramadol like the formulation that worked in the past?
I was never prescribed Ultram, but just generic versions of Tramadol through the years. Mostly because of insurance reasons I suppose. I just recently checked on Ultram. Pharmacist said it’s been on back order since 2020!
So yes, Tramadol used to work for pain very well! I also took it for stomach - an undiagnosed incisional hernia for many years. It was a terrific anti-depressant as well. Altogether it was a wonderful medication!
The new Tramadol(s) are just YUCK! They don’t work at all for pain and they have no mood lifting effects... just make me nauseous (usually sick all day) and makes my mood worse!
I’m trying different suppliers now as well. Amneal... worthless. Sun Pharmaceuticals... worthless. Btw, a few years ago, I took Tramadol from Sun and all was great, so... I’m starting to think they have changed the formulation of Tramadol altogether!
I’m going to give the supplier TEVA a try next, and I will report back on how that goes.
If Mylan available try it.
Thank you!
Related topics
ultram, depression, anxiety, pain, tramadol, chronic pain, prescription, stomach pain, stomach, energy, brand, drug
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