Tramadol Overdose: A Case Report

• Main Authors: Sohil Pothiawala MRCSEd (A&E), MMed (EM), R Ponampalam FAMS, FRCSEd(A&E)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2011-09-01
• Series: Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/201010581102000311

Tramadol, a commonly prescribed opioid analgesic, is considered to have a low abuse potential and devoid of side effects like drug dependence. Very few fatalities due to isolated tramadol overdose, either intentional or accidental, have been reported so far. We report a case of a 27-year-old female with isolated tramadol overdose, having a peripheral blood tramadol concentration of 4mg/L, which is exceeding the lethal blood concentration of 2mg/L. This is the first report of a patient in Singapore who survived tramadol overdose despite having a lethal blood concentration. Physicians should be aware that patients with tramadol overdose may only present with signs related to isolated Serotonin-Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRI) properties and not always associated with the features of classical opioid overdose. Some patients might exhibit a certain degree of tolerance to the drug after prolonged prior exposure to the medication, and this tolerance could extend beyond the therapeutic range. It also emphasises the need for physicians to be more cautious while prescribing tramadol to their patients.