Khaberni - A new study has concluded that tramadol, one of the opioid pain relievers, is not very effective in alleviating the chronic pain for which it is widely prescribed, and it is likely at the same time to increase the chances of serious side effects.
The researchers, who gathered data from 19 previous trials involving 6506 volunteers suffering from chronic pain, concluded that the potential harms of tramadol may outweigh its benefits.
Five of the trials focused on tramadol's effect on nerve-related pain, nine on arthritis, four on chronic lower back pain, and one on fibromyalgia pain.
Placebo treatment
The average age of participants in the trials was 58 years, and the duration of treatment ranged from two to 16 weeks. According to a report published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Medicine, the chances of problems associated with tramadol were twice as high as with placebo treatment in clinical trials, primarily due to an increase in cardiac symptoms such as chest pain, coronary artery disease, and heart failure.What are the side effects of tramadol? An overview The less severe side effects included nausea, dizziness, constipation, and drowsiness, and the researchers also said tramadol was associated with an increased risk of some types of cancer, although the follow-up period was short, making this conclusion "questionable".
Previously, doctors believed that tramadol had lower risks, was safer, and had less potential for addiction compared to other opioid pain relievers.
The researchers concluded that "given the limited analgesic benefits and increased chances of harm, the use of tramadol for chronic pain should be reconsidered."
