{blacktriangledown}Tramadol - a new analgesic

doi:10.1136/dtb.1994.321185

Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin 1994;32:85-87; doi:10.1136/dtb.1994.321185

${blacktriangledown}$ Tramadol - a new analgesic

Relevant BNF section: 4.7.2

Tramadol (Zydol - Searle) is a centrally acting opioid analgesicnewly marketed in the UK for use by mouth or injection. It islicensed for the prevention and treatment of moderate to severepain. The manufacturer claims that it causes less constipationand respiratory depression than conventional opioids and thatit offers a special "dual action". We examine the claims andconsider the place of tramadol.