After Tylenol, a popular pain medicine in the US was in debate of whether it causes autism, the debate has now shifted to Tramadol. What Is Tramadol?It is an opioid pain medicine used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It is a controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and addiction. It alters how the brain and the nervous system respond to pain. What's New About Tramadol? New research published in the BMJ Evidence Based Medicine indicates that tramadol offers only a slight alleviation from chronic pain and may not be as effective. The research also notes that the side effects maybe overweighing the benefits.This prescription only drug is branded under various names, including Maxitram, Marol, Zydol, Zamadol, Tramulief, and Tramquel. It is used to treat pain, especially after surgery or a significant injury. This is also a popular choice in US, however, the new evidence shows that it only offers limited impact on chronic pain and could actually be associated with the high risk of serious effects, including heart diseases.Also Read: Tylenol And Autism: Trump Announces Link Between The Two, Science Does Not Back Him Tramadol Ineffective? What Is It Based On?The team of researchers assessed 19 published clinical trials that involved 6,506 people with chronic pain. Five of the trials studied the impact of tramadol on neuropathic pain, nine focused on osteoarthritis, four looked at chronic low back pain, and one looked at fibromyalgia. The prescribed period for most people were two to 16 weeks. Pooled data analysis showed that tramadol did ease the pain, the effect was small as compared to what would be considered clinically effective. Researchers also noted a doubling in the risk of harms, which were associated with the popular pain killer drug, as compared to placebo drugs. They had a higher proportion of side effects, which include: chest pain, heart disease, and congestive heart failure. Some patients also suffered nausea, dizziness, constipation, and sleepiness. The researchers concluded: "Approximately 60 million worldwide experience the addictive effects of opioids."The researchers further noted: "In 2019, drug use was responsible for approximately 600,000 deaths, with nearly 80 per cent of these fatalities associated with opioids and approximately 25 per cent resulting from opioid overdose. Given this trend and the present findings, the use of tramadol and other opioids should be minimised to the greatest extend possible."Read More: Tylenol And Autism: Trump, RFK Jr., And Officials To Link The Two In An Announcement SoonOpioid And Its Link To Cardiovascular HealthAs per a 2023 study, published in Cureus, titled: Opioid Impacts on Cardiovascular Health cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is a major contributor to global mortality, and opioid use impacts cardiovascular health. Opioid receptors belong to the G protein, and these long-term opioid receptors have been linked to increased inflammatory responses and elevated production of reactive oxygen species, when it comes to cardiovascular health. These processes can contribute to cardiovascular complications such as microvascular dysfunction and atherosclerosis. This contrasts with the effects of acute receptor activation.
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