Tramadol, Pharmacology, Side Effects, and Serotonin Syndrome: A Review.

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Beakley BD, Kaye AM, Kaye AD

Tramadol, Pharmacology, Side Effects, and Serotonin Syndrome: A Review.

Pain Physician. 2015 Jul-Aug;18(4):395-400.

PubMed ID

26218943 [ View in PubMed

]

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Serotonin syndrome is a mild to potentially life-threatening syndrome associated with excessive serotonergic activity within the central nervous system. Serotonin syndrome is associated with medication use, drug interactions, and overdose. While serotonin syndrome is often associated with the use of selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRI), an increasing number of reports are being presented involving the use of tramadol. METHODS: This review article contains an overview of serotonin syndrome while specifically looking at tramadol's pharmacology and risk factors for serotonin syndrome. With tramadol's increasing popularity, the goal of this article is to make physicians more alert and aware of this potential side effect associated with tramadol. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, with the increasing incidence of serotonin syndrome, prescribing physicians should be aware of and educate their patients on the potential side effects of tramadol. It is important that the prescribing physician reviews patient medications for concurrent serotonergic drugs and monitors for potential abuse.

DrugBank Data that Cites this Article

Drugs

Tramadol

Drug Reactions

Reaction
Tramadol DB00193 Cytochrome P450 3A4 Cytochrome P450 2B6 N-Desmethyltramadol DBMET00343	Details

Drug Interactions

Drugs	Interaction
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Tramadol Cyclobenzaprine	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome and seizure can be increased when Cyclobenzaprine is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Buprenorphine	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Buprenorphine is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Methotrimeprazine	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Methotrimeprazine is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Rotigotine	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Rotigotine is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Tapentadol	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Tapentadol is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Metoclopramide	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Metoclopramide is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Morphine	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Morphine is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Codeine	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Codeine is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Hydromorphone	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Hydromorphone is combined with Tramadol.
Tramadol Oxycodone	The risk or severity of serotonin syndrome can be increased when Oxycodone is combined with Tramadol.

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