If you’re looking at treatment options for pain, you may want to learn more about tramadol (Ultram).

Tramadol is a generic prescription drug that’s used in adults. It treats severe pain that requires a powerful type of pain reliever called an opioid. Tramadol is an opioid, and it works by decreasing your pain levels.

Tramadol comes as an immediate-release* tablet and an extended-release† tablet, both of which you take by mouth. The immediate-release tablet is also available as the brand-name drug Ultram.

Tramadol can be used short term or long term for pain that’s not relieved by other treatment options. Keep reading for details on tramadol, its cost, and how to save money on prescriptions.

Note: For more details on tramadol, see this in-depth article.

* The immediate-release tablet releases your dose of medication all at once. It usually needs to be taken multiple times per day.
† The extended-release tablet releases your dose of medication slowly throughout the day. It’s taken once daily.

The price you pay for tramadol can vary. The cost may depend on your treatment plan, your insurance coverage, and the pharmacy you use.

To find out how much you’ll pay for tramadol, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about tramadol and cost.

Does the price of tramadol depend on the strength I use (50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg)?

Yes, it’s possible that the price of tramadol will depend on the strength you take. The cost may also depend on the drug form, the manufacturer, the pharmacy you use, and your insurance plan (if you have insurance).

Tramadol comes as an immediate-release tablet, in strengths of 50 milligrams (mg) and 100 mg. Tramadol also comes as an extended-release tablet, in three strengths: 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg.

If you’re taking the immediate-release tablets, you may have to take a dose every 4 to 6 hours. If you take the extended-release tablets, you’ll only need to take a dose once per day. So the number of tablets you take daily can also affect your cost.

If you have questions about the cost of your tramadol prescription, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Does tramadol come in a strength of 225 mg? If so, what’s the cost?

No, tramadol doesn’t come in a strength of 225 mg. It’s only available in the following strengths: 50 mg, 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg.

If you have questions about the cost of specific strengths of tramadol, talk with your doctor.

What does tramadol cost without insurance?

The cost of tramadol without insurance will depend on:

  • the form of tramadol your doctor prescribes (immediate release or extended release)
  • the strength of tramadol you take
  • the pharmacy you use

Each of these factors can affect the cost of tramadol. If you’d like a price estimate for your specific tramadol prescription, talk with your pharmacist or doctor. In some cases, changing the form or strength of the medication may lower your cost.

If you’re concerned about paying for your tramadol prescription, see the “Can I get help paying for tramadol?” section below.

Tramadol comes as immediate-release* and extended-release† tablets. The immediate-release tablet is also available as the brand-name drug Ultram. A generic drug is an exact copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. The generic is considered to be just as safe and effective as the original drug. And generics tend to cost less than brand-name drugs.

There’s also a tramadol solution and extended-release capsule, but these forms are only available as brand-name drugs. (The solution and capsule are not currently available as generic drugs.) The brand-name solution is called Qdolo, and the brand-name capsule is called Conzip.

To find out how the costs of Ultram and tramadol compare, talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or insurance provider.

If your doctor has prescribed tramadol and you’re interested in using a brand-name drug instead, talk with your doctor. They may have a preference for one version or the other. In addition, you’ll need to check with your insurance provider. This is because it may only cover one drug or the other.

* The immediate-release tablet releases your dose of medication all at once. It usually needs to be taken multiple times per day.
† The extended-release tablet releases your dose of medication slowly throughout the day. It’s taken once daily.

In many cases, doctors prescribe tramadol as a short-term treatment option for severe pain. However, in other cases, people may need to take tramadol long term for pain. If you take tramadol long term, you may be able to lower your costs in the following ways:

  • Look into getting a 90-day supply of your medication. You may be able to get a 90-day supply of tramadol if approved by your insurance company. This could reduce your number of trips to the pharmacy and help lower the cost of tramadol. If you’re interested in getting a 90-day supply of this drug, talk with your doctor or insurance provider.
  • Use a mail-order pharmacy to get your medication. Using a mail-order pharmacy might help lower your cost for tramadol. Plus, you could get your medication without leaving home. Some Medicare plans may help cover the cost of mail-order drugs. You may also be able to get a 90-day supply of the drug through mail order. If you don’t have health insurance, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest online pharmacy options that could work for you.

If you need help covering the cost of tramadol or understanding your insurance, check out these websites:

You can find insurance information, details on drug assistance programs, and links to savings cards and other services on these sites.

If you have questions about how you can pay for tramadol, you may also want to talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

If you still have questions about the cost of tramadol, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to give you a better idea of what you’ll pay for this drug. But if you have health insurance, you’ll need to talk with your insurance provider to learn the actual cost you’d pay for tramadol.

Examples of questions you may want to ask your doctor or insurance provider include:

  • Are there any lower-cost treatment options available that could treat my pain?
  • Will a lower dose of tramadol cost less?
  • Will a different form of tramadol (such as a tablet instead of a capsule) cost me less?
  • Is the extended-release version of tramadol cheaper, as I’d only have to take it once per day?

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.