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Affiliation
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Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, , Tabriz, Iran. |
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Abstract
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PURPOSE: Severe complications have been reported for tramadol overdose; however, few large-scale studies have investigated this issue. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the manifestations and complications associated with tramadol overdose in patients admitted to an intoxication referral center in northwestern Iran.
METHODS: Patients with tramadol overdose admitting to Sina Teaching-Hospital of Tabriz during 2013-2017 were included. For each patient the following data were collected: demographics, previous drug or medication overdose, being in period of quitting drugs, ingested dose of tramadol and co-ingestants, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and clinical symptoms of patients at time of admission, and admission characteristics. Serotonin toxicity was diagnosed if the patients fulfilled the Hunter's criteria. Multiple logistic regression was performed seeking the associated variables with the incidence of severe effects of tramadol overdose.
RESULTS: 512 cases of tramadol overdose were evaluated, of which 359 patients were included that had a median age of 41 (16-69) years old and median tramadol dose of 1500 (500-4000) mg. The most frequent complications associated with tramadol overdose were hypertension (38.4%), tachycardia (24.8%) and seizure (14.5%). No serotonin toxicity was detected in patients. Having a GCS <15, being poisoned with a tramadol dose of >1000 mg, being in the period of quitting drugs, being 30-49 years old and being a male were significantly related to the incidence of severe effects of tramadol overdose.
CONCLUSION: Although seizure was prevalent among Iranian patients with tramadol poisoning, serotonin toxicity and cardiac shock were rare findings.
Language: en |