Open AccessTramadol Dependence: A Case Series from India
Author(s) -
Siddharth Sarkar,
Naresh Nebhinani,
Shubh Mohan Singh,
Surendra Kumar Mattoo,
Debasish Basu
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
indian journal of psychological medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.417
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 0975-1564
pISSN - 0253-7176
DOI - 10.4103/0253-7176.106038
Subject(s) - tramadol , naltrexone , euphoriant , analgesic , medicine , opioid , medical prescription , anesthesia , pharmacology , psychiatry , receptor
Tramadol is an atypical, centrally acting, synthetic analgesic, acting through opioid and non-opioid systems. We present a series of seven cases, all men, who sought treatment at our centre for tramadol-dependence. The majority were using other opioids at some point in their lives. Their tramadol use had begun with a prescription of tramadol for opioid detoxification, for headache and body pains, and as an alternative to injectable opioids. The doses of tramadol used varied from 50 to 1500 mg per day. All subjects reported an experience of euphoria with tramadol use. Four patients were put on naltrexone, but had poor compliance. This case series underscores the need for caution, while using tramadol in substance-dependent patients.