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tramadol/acetaminophen — Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama

Management of mild to moderate pain where treatment with an opioid is appropriate and for which alternative treatments are inadequate

Initial criteria

  • Because of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse with opioids, even at recommended doses, reserve this agent for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g., non-opioid analgesics or opioid combination products):
  • • Have not been tolerated, or are not expected to be tolerated
  • • Have not provided adequate analgesia, or are not expected to provide adequate analgesia
  • This agent should not be used for an extended period of time unless the pain remains severe enough to require an opioid analgesic and for which alternative treatment options continue to be inadequate.
  • For tramadol/acetaminophen: agent indicated for short-term use of five days or less.