Tramadol, a strong synthetic opioid, has been commonly prescribed for moderate to severe pain. However, a recent study suggests that its risks may outweigh its modest benefits for chronic pain, and its use should be carefully reconsidered. Published in the journal BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, the study found that tramadol may offer only a slight reduction in chronic pain, with limited evidence supporting its effectiveness. More worryingly, it could contribute to long-term health problems that might become life-threatening. Let’s examine the study’s findings in detail.What Is Tramadol Used For?Tramadol is a prescription, only synthetic opioid used to manage moderate to severe pain. It works by changing how the brain and nervous system perceive pain, according to Medline Plus. Its uses include:Acute pain: Immediate-release formulations help manage short-term, intense pain, such as after surgery or an injury.Chronic pain: Extended-release tablets and capsules are used for persistent, severe pain when other treatments have failed.Condition-specific pain: It may be prescribed for ongoing pain from conditions such as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, and neuropathic pain.Tramadol Can Lead To Serious Health Issues?A new review suggests that millions of Americans with chronic pain may be prescribed tramadol, a drug that may provide minimal relief. Even more concerning, the research highlights that the medication could increase the risk of serious health complications, including heart disease, the leading cause of death in the US.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 51.6 million adults in the US, roughly one in five, experience chronic pain, with 17.1 million having pain that interferes with daily life or work. Tramadol has often been used to manage this pain, with 16 million prescriptions written for the drug in 2023 alone. Traditionally seen as a “safer alternative” to stronger opioids, tramadol has been perceived to carry fewer side effects and a lower risk of addiction.Given conflicting evidence from earlier limited studies, Danish researchers decided to evaluate whether tramadol is truly effective and safe for chronic pain. “The findings suggest that the benefits of tramadol are questionable or uncertain. Additionally, there is evidence of potentially harmful effects,” said Dr. Janus Jakobsen, lead author and clinical professor at the University of Southern Denmark.Tramadol Side EffectsTramadol can cause serious side effects, including heart-related issues such as chest pain, heart disease, or congestive heart failure. The study also found it increased the risk of both mild and serious adverse events, including nausea, dizziness, constipation, drowsiness, and cardiac complications. It may also be linked to neoplasm events, abnormal cell growths that can lead to tumors, which may be benign or malignant.These findings, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, arrive amid the ongoing opioid crisis in the US, which has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives since the late 1990s. Research indicates that around 12% of patients treated with opioids for chronic pain may develop addiction or misuse the drugs, raising the risk of overdose and other severe outcomes.The opioid epidemic was declared a national public health emergency by President Trump in 2017, and the death toll has continued to rise in the years since.
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