Bahman Rashidi Bonab
1, Hassan Hassanian Mogaddam
2, Behnam Behnoosh
1, Hossein Alikhah
3*1 Forensic Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Forensic Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Emergency Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Background: Tramadol is an analgesic medication. High prevalence of tramadol abuse has been frequently reported. This study was aimed to evaluate the common and serious complications and death cases due to tramadol intoxication.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed on 420 patients hospitalized in poisoning ward of Tehran Loghman Hospital for four months period. Patient’s characteristics and medical complications were recorded during hospitalization and subsequent visits.
Results: Convulsion (31.3%) and apnea (6.2%) were the most serious side effects in patients using with tramadol intoxication. The incidence of apnea was correlated with the drug doses (P<0/5%). However, the incidence of other complications was not significantly related with the drug dose.
Conclusions: The high prevalence of tramadol abuse, and its high and dangerous complications in our country that requires careful vigilance of physicians and pharmacists in prescribing and selling tramadol, and families’ awareness about the arbitrary use of his youth.