A recent study reveals that tramadol, a commonly prescribed opioid for chronic pain, offers minimal relief while posing significant cardiovascular risks.
A new analysis published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine has found that tramadol, a widely prescribed opioid painkiller, demonstrates limited effectiveness for chronic pain and increases the risk of serious cardiovascular harm.
Tramadol has long been viewed as a safer or less addictive alternative to other opioids, which has contributed to its extensive use in treating chronic pain, according to the study authors. Dr. Marc Siegel, a senior medical analyst for Fox News, noted, “Often, we may use tramadol to avoid more addictive drugs like other opioids, though in fact tramadol is a synthetic opioid. It is much milder.”
The analysis examined data from 19 randomized clinical trials involving 6,506 adults suffering from conditions such as osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, neuropathic pain, and fibromyalgia. All studies compared tramadol to a placebo treatment.
Overall, the findings indicated that tramadol resulted in a small reduction in pain; however, the relief was less than what is typically deemed clinically meaningful. Alopi M. Patel, M.D., a pain medicine physician at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mt. Sinai in New York City, remarked, “It is notable how minimal the pain reduction was and how clearly the study highlighted the elevated risk of serious adverse events, even over relatively short trial durations.” Patel was not involved in the study.
Participants who received tramadol experienced a higher incidence of adverse events—both serious and non-serious—compared to those given a placebo. Serious adverse events primarily included cardiovascular issues such as chest pain, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. The authors concluded that tramadol likely increases the risk of heart-related complications.
The study’s authors asserted that the benefits of tramadol for chronic pain are minimal, suggesting that the potential harms may outweigh any advantages. This raises significant questions regarding the appropriateness of tramadol for treating chronic pain conditions.
Most of the trials included in the analysis were short-term, with treatment durations ranging from two to 16 weeks and follow-up periods from three to 15 weeks. The researchers acknowledged that this limited their ability to evaluate long-term outcomes.
Furthermore, the authors reported that many outcomes had a high risk of bias, which may have exaggerated the perceived benefits and downplayed the reported harms. Although the trials encompassed various types of chronic pain, the data lacked sufficient detail to draw specific conclusions for individual conditions, making it “harder to generalize the findings to specific patient populations,” according to Patel.
Despite the study’s insights, Dr. Siegel cautioned against interpreting the findings too broadly. He stated, “Looking at slight increased rates of cancer or heart disease among those on the drug is completely misleading, because it is not controlled for other factors and there is no evidence or hint of causation. You would have to first look at underlying characteristics of that group who took the meds.”
He also emphasized that the study did not compare tramadol with stronger opioids like Percocet, which could provide a more comprehensive understanding of its risks and benefits.
Experts advise patients not to discontinue tramadol abruptly, as this can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Those considering changes to their medication regimen should consult their healthcare provider.
Dr. Patel recommended that clinicians and patients engage in transparent, shared decision-making that weighs tramadol’s modest benefits against its risks. “I recommend that clinicians and patients engage in transparent, shared decision-making that considers tramadol’s modest benefits alongside its risks,” he said.
Fox News Digital reached out to several manufacturers of tramadol for comment but did not receive a response.
As the conversation around opioid prescriptions continues, this study underscores the need for careful consideration of the risks associated with tramadol and similar medications in the management of chronic pain.
According to Fox News, the findings of this study may prompt a reevaluation of tramadol’s role in pain management.