Acute toxicity related to misuse (nonmedical use) of tramadol: Experience of the European Drug Emergencies Network Plus. Issue 4 (15th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Layne, Kerry A.; Dargan, Paul I.; Dines, Alison M.; Leaper, Craig; Yates, Christopher; Hovda, Knut Erik; Heyerdahl, Fridtjof; Archer, John R.H.; Giraudon, Isabelle; Wood, David M.
• Other Names: Anand Lukasz investigator.; Anseeuw Kurt investigator.; Badaras Robertas investigator.; Bonnici Jeffrey investigator.; Brvar Miran investigator.; Burke Rachel investigator.; Caganova Blazena investigator.; Ceschi Alessandro investigator.; Eyer Florian investigator.; Galicia Miguel investigator.; Geith Stefanie investigator.; Gillebeert Johan investigator.; Grenc Damjan investigator.; Gorozia Ketevan investigator.; Jaffal Karim investigator.; Jürgens Gesche investigator.; Konstari Jutta investigator.; Kutubidze Soso investigator.; Laubner Gabija investigator.; Liakoni Evangelia investigator.; Liechti Matthias investigator.; Liguts Viesturs investigator.; Lyphout Cathelijne investigator.; Mégarbane Bruno investigator.; Miró Òscar investigator.; Moughty Adrian investigator.; Noseda Roberta investigator.; O'Connor Niall investigator.; Paasma Raido investigator.; Perez Juan Ortega investigator.; Perminas Marius investigator.; Persett Per Sverre investigator.; Põld Kristiina investigator.; Puiguriguer Jordi investigator.; Radenkova‐Saeva Julia investigator.; Rulisek Jan investigator.; Schmid Yasmin investigator.; Scholz Irene investigator.; Sopirala Radhika investigator.; Stašinskis Roberts investigator.; Surkus Jonas investigator.; Toth Ibolya investigator.; Vallersnes Odd Martin investigator.; Vigorita Federico investigator.; Waldman Wojciech investigator.; Waring W. Stephen investigator.; Zacharov Sergej investigator.;
• Is Part Of: British journal of clinical pharmacology. Volume 87:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 1668
• Page End: 1675
• Publication Date: 2020-07-15
• Subjects: opioid -- recreational -- toxicology -- tramadol; Pharmacology -- Periodicals; Drugs -- Periodicals; 615.1
• DOI: 10.1111/bcp.14408
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-5251

Abstract

Abstract : Following the development of the tramadol crisis currently affecting countries in the Middle East, and Africa, there has been increasing international interest in the regulation of tramadol. This study investigates the misuse of tramadol in patients presenting to emergency departments across Europe. Data from 32 emergency departments in 21 countries were extracted from the Euro‐DEN Plus database for the 4‐year period from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2017. Of the reported 24, 957 emergency department presentations, tramadol misuse was reported in 105 (0.4% presentations). Tramadol misuse was most common in Bratislava (Slovakia; n = 11, 7.5% of all presentations to this centre), Riga (Latvia; n = 4, 4.9%) and Munich (Germany; n = 17, 2.9%). On arrival, 14 (13.3%) of presentations were in coma/Glasgow coma score ≤ 8 and 9 of these had a respiratory rate <12 breaths/min. These presentations potentially pose a significant burden on emergency departments with a large proportion requiring admission to hospital for ongoing care.