Tramadol

- Central analgesic
- Weak agonist of opioid receptors
- Inhibits noradrenaline, serotonin reuptake

 

 

Pharmacokinetics

- Absorbed from G. I. Tract
- Peak level - 15-45 minutes
- Metabolised in liver
- Excreted in urine

 

 

Indications

Moderate to severe pain
- Post operative pain, including orthopedic
surgery pain

Dosage

50-100 mg 4 times daily
(Total daily dose should not exceed 400 mg)

Children
1-2 mg/kg body weight

 

Adverse Effects

- Dizziness, nausea, sedation, dry mouth, sweating
- Opioid related adverse effects e.g., constipation, respiratory depression, are low with tramadol

Contraindications

- Hypersensitivity

 

 

 

Precautions

- Concomitant administration of alcohol, hypnotics,
CNS active drugs, MAO inhibitors
- Use of vehicles, complicated machinery
- Patients with decreased respiratory reserve, patients with
a history of seizures, myasthenia gravis

 

 

Salient Features

- Opioid analgesic
- Centrally acting pain reliever
- Orally administered
- Useful for moderate to severe pain
e.g., post operative pain
- Better tolerability than other opioid analgesics