In a new study, it was found that Tramadol, a double opioid painkiller, is not as effective in relieving chronic pain as it is widely prescribed, and that it can at the same time increase the chance of serious side effects. The researchers, who collected data from 19 previous trials that include 6.506 volunteers suffering from chronic pain, concluded that the possible damage of Tramadol could exceed its benefits. Five of the trials focused on the effect of tramadol on nerve-related pain, while 9 trials focused on arthritis, 4 on chronic low back pain and one on fibromyalgia. The average age of the trial participants was 58 years, and the duration of the treatment ranged from two to 16 weeks. In a report published in the journal BMJ voucher-based medicine, it is said that the chance of tramadol problems was twice as high as with placebo in the trials, mainly due to the higher incidence of heart-related symptoms such as chest pain, coronary artery disease and heart failure. Less serious side effects included nausea, dizziness, constipation and drowsiness. The researchers said that Tramadol was also associated with an increased risk of some types of cancer, although the follow -up period was short, which made this finding “questionable”. To that end, doctors believed that Tramadol was less risks, was safer and had a lower risk of addiction than other opioid pain relievers. “Given the limited analgesic benefits and increased potential for damage, the use of tramadol should be reconsidered for chronic pain,” the researchers concluded. Tramadol is available worldwide and is recommended in many medical guidelines for pain management. It is used to treat moderate to severe pain as well as acute pain, especially after surgery, trauma and chronic pain, including cancer and non-cancer, and are recommended by WHO guidelines as a second line painkiller for relieving cancer pain. The study reported that according to the records of the manufacturer, 11 billion and 758 million specific daily doses of Tramadol in the period from 1990 to 2009, all over the world, were consumed, because pain was more common in all regions, and it is one of the most common causes of work degree, leading to psychological and social problems, swirls and symptoms of depression. The use of Tramadol has risen dramatically over the past few years, and it has become one of the most prescribed opioids in the United States. Researchers have suggested that this increase is driven by its perceived benefits, including what doctors can see as positive side effects, and the widespread belief that it is safer and less addictive than other short-acting opioids.
Tramadol is not effective in relieving pain and increasing serious side effects
