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Tramadol can selectively manage moderate pain in children following European advice limiting codeine use
Author(s) -
Marzuillo Pierluigi,
Calligaris Lorenzo,
Barbi Egidio
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12738
Subject(s) - tramadol , medicine , codeine , limiting , opioid , intensive care medicine , morphine , pain ladder , anesthesia , emergency medicine , analgesic , mechanical engineering , receptor , engineering
Abstract The European Medicine Agency recommendations limiting codeine use in children have created a void in managing moderate pain. We review the evidence on the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and safety profile of tramadol, a possible substitute for codeine. Conclusion Tramadol appears to be safe in both paediatric inpatients and outpatients. It may be appropriate to limit the current use of tramadol to monitored settings in children with risk factors for respiratory depression, subject to further safety evidence.