Regulatory status record
Is Tramadol banned in India?
Last checked 19 September 2026. A few details are still being checked against the original document.
Tramadol is not banned in India as of 19 Sep 2026; it has been a controlled substance under the NDPS Act since April 2018, and specific tramadol combinations were prohibited in 2018 and on 2 Aug 2024.
- Classification
- No ban or recall found in official records
- Decided by
- CDSCO / Ministry of Health and Family Welfare; Department of Revenue (NDPS)
- Reference
- NDPS notification, Apr 2018 (being verified); S.O. 4384(E) 7 Sep 2018; S.O. 3439(E) and S.O. 3440(E) 2 Aug 2024
- Latest action
- 2 August 2024
- Last checked
- 19 September 2026details being verified
Tramadol capsules in a blister strip. Photo: Tramadol Capsules.jpg by The Drug Users Bible (CC BY 2.0). Brand names and logos belong to their owners and are used here to identify the product this entry is about. All photo credits.
CDSCO: List of prohibited FDC drugs, 156 FDCs dated 02.08.2024
Scope. A record here does not by itself mean a product or company is unsafe or banned today. Regulatory actions can apply to one batch, one formulation, one period or one state. Always check the linked government document for the current position, and tell us if something is out of date. How we label records.
Below: Blacklisted's explanationWe organise and explain what the document says. The document above is the authority.
Key facts
- Governing authority
- CDSCO, MoHFW; Narcotics Control Bureau under NDPS Act
- Single ingredient
- Legal, NDPS-scheduled since April 2018
- Banned FDCs (2018)
- Diclofenac + tramadol + chlorzoxazone, S.O. 4384(E), 7 Sep 2018
- Banned FDCs (2024)
- Tramadol + PCM + caffeine + taurine, S.O. 3440(E); tramadol + dicyclomine + domperidone, S.O. 3439(E)
- Common legal brands
- Ultracet (tramadol + paracetamol), Tramazac
Where the claim comes from
The April 2018 decision to bring tramadol under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, following reports of smuggling to West Asia and misuse in Punjab, was reported as a 'ban' in many outlets, and 'tramadol banned in Punjab' remains a common search. The August 2024 prohibition of two tramadol combinations renewed the claim.
Tramadol is an opioid painkiller that India regulates more tightly than most painkillers, but it is not banned.
In April 2018 the Department of Revenue added tramadol to the schedule of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The move followed reports of large-scale diversion and misuse, especially in Punjab, and seizures of consignments bound for West Asia and Africa. Being NDPS-scheduled means manufacturers, wholesalers and pharmacies must keep records and sell only on prescription; it does not make the drug illegal. Ultracet, Tramazac and generic tramadol capsules remain licensed.
What has been banned are certain combinations. On 7 September 2018 the diclofenac + tramadol + chlorzoxazone FDC was prohibited under S.O. 4384(E). On 2 August 2024 the 156-FDC notification prohibited tramadol + paracetamol + caffeine + taurine (S.O. 3440(E)) and tramadol + dicyclomine + domperidone (S.O. 3439(E)). Both are the last two entries in the CDSCO's official list, and their S.O. numbers are among the few we have verified directly.
The two-drug tramadol + paracetamol combination, which is what most patients mean by Ultracet, was not included. If you have a prescription for tramadol, nothing about the 2018 or 2024 orders affects it. The exact NDPS notification number from April 2018 is flagged for verification.
What this means for you
You need a valid prescription
Since 2018 pharmacies must record tramadol sales; buying without a prescription is an offence for the seller.
Ultracet is not banned
Tramadol + paracetamol two-drug products were not in the 2024 list.
Four-drug products are gone
If a pack lists tramadol with caffeine and taurine, or with dicyclomine and domperidone, it should no longer be sold.
This is a record of official orders, not medical advice. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without asking your doctor or pharmacist.
Common questions
Is Ultracet banned in India?
No. Tramadol + paracetamol was not among the FDCs banned in 2024.
Entries on the banned drugs list
| Drug / combination | Action | Notification | Date | Status note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tramadol HCl + Dicyclomine HCl + Domperidone | Banned | S.O. 3439(E) | 2 August 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Tramadol HCl + Paracetamol + Caffeine + Taurine | Banned | S.O. 3440(E) | 2 August 2024 | Prohibited under s.26A; notifications dated 02.08.2024, gazetted 21-22 Aug 2024. |
| Diclofenac + Tramadol + Chlorzoxazone | Banned | S.O. 4384(E) | 7 September 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Diclofenac + Tramadol + Paracetamol | Banned | S.O. 4386(E) | 7 September 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Lornoxicam + Paracetamol + Tramadol | Banned | S.O. 4407(E) | 7 September 2018 | In force per CDSCO list as on 22.11.2021 |
| Diclofenac + Tramadol + Chlorzoxazone | Quashed | S.O. 710(E) | 10 March 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Diclofenac + Tramadol + Paracetamol | Quashed | S.O. 714(E) | 10 March 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
| Lornoxicam + Paracetamol + Tramadol | Quashed | S.O. 736(E) | 10 March 2016 | Quashed by Delhi HC 1 Dec 2016; see 2018 re-ban |
Batches declared Not of Standard Quality
Batches of products containing Tramadol flagged in CDSCO monthly alerts. An NSQ result concerns one batch, not the molecule or the brand.
| Product | Batch | Manufacturer | Reason declared NSQ | Tested by | Alert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spasmore (Acetaminophen, Tramadol HCl & Dicyclomine HCl Capsules). | SE026040Mfg 2026-04 · Exp 2028-03 | Danish Healthcare (P) Ltd | 01. ASSAY OF TRAMADOL HCL I.P. & DICYCLOMINE HCL I.P. ?Less than prescribed limit.Assay | SFDTL UttarakhandState lab | Jul 2026 |
| Tramadol Capsules IP 5 mg | 1686-06Mfg 2025-08 · Exp 2027-07 | Hab Pharmaceuticals & Research Ltd | Uniformity of WeightUniformity of weight/content | SDTL, VijayawadaState lab | Feb 2026 |
| Paracetamol and Tramadol Hydrochloride Tablets IP | LBHK25001Mfg 2025-02 · Exp 2028-01 | Chimak Health CareHimachal Pradesh | The Sample does not conform to IP Standards with respect to Dissolution.Dissolution | DTL ThrissurState lab | Feb 2026 |
| Tramadol & Paracetamol Tablets IP | BT-1322Mfg 2025-03 · Exp 2027-02 | Badrivas Biotech Pvt. LtdUttarakhand | DescriptionDescription | DTL, Bengaluru, KarnatakaState lab | Nov 2025 |
| Paracetamol and Tramadol Hydrochloride Tablets IP | LBHK25001Mfg 2025-02 · Exp 2028-01 | Chimak Health careHimachal Pradesh | The sample does not conform to IP Standards with respect to Dissolution.Dissolution | DTL ThrissurState lab | Nov 2025 |
| Tramadol Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen Tablets (Paradol-T) | JTN25-096Mfg 2025-06 · Exp 2027-05 | Janya Biocare Pvt.LtdUttarakhand | Test For DissolutionDissolution | NCT of DelhiState lab | Oct 2025 |
| Tramadol Hydrochloride Sustained Release Tablets I.P. 100mg - | MNT27015Mfg 2025-01 · Exp 2026-12 | Medicross Laboratories Pvt. LtdHimachal Pradesh | Spurious identification, Dissolution and Assay.Assay | Directorate of Food & Drugs, Bambolim, GoaState lab | Sep 2025 |
| Tramadol Hydrochloride Capsules I.P. 50 mg | CBC-0012/25Mfg 2025-01 · Exp 2026-12 | C.B. Healthcare Vill. Messa TibbaHimachal Pradesh | Assay of Tramadol Hydrochloride.Assay | CDL, KolkataCDSCO lab | Aug 2025 |
| Tramadol Hydrochloride Injection 50 mg/ml (Tramacop ) | RP-04Mfg 2023-07 · Exp 2025-06 | Bio Medica Laboratories Pvt. LtdMadhya Pradesh | 'Acidity or Alkalinity' and 'Assay of Tramadol'Assay | CDL KolkataCDSCO lab | Jan 2025 |
| Paracetamol & Tramadol Hydrochloride Tablets (PAAR-TM) | G012221Mfg 2022-08 · Exp 2025-07 | Baroque Pharmaceuticals Pvt. LtdGujarat | Uniformity of Dispersion & Assay of Tramadol HydrochlorideAssay | CDL KolkataCDSCO lab | Nov 2023 |
| Loose Green Color Capsules (Purported to be contains Tramadol, Pregabalin and Other) | Not applicableMfg ? · Exp ? | Not Mentioned | Identification(B) of PregabalinIdentification | RDTL ChandigarhState lab | Apr 2023 |
| Tramadol Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen Tablets USP (DOLOSAFE D TABLETS) | NDSD-02102Mfg 2021-04 · Exp 2024-03 | Tidal Laboratories Pvt. LtdHimachal Pradesh | DissolutionDissolution | RDTL ChandigarhState lab | Oct 2021 |
| Tramadol Prolonged Release Tablets (CORLIVIDOL-100 SR TABLETS) | PTN-026Mfg 2020-05 · Exp 2022-04 | Perk Pharmaceuticals LtdUttar Pradesh | Dissolution and Related SubstancesDissolution | RDTL ChandigarhState lab | Dec 2020 |
Official sources and primary records
- CDSCO: List of prohibited FDC drugs, 156 FDCs dated 02.08.2024RegulatorCDSCO · 2 August 2024
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