Epidemiology of tramadol overdose in Imam Khomeini hospital, Kermanshah, Iran (2008)

Background: Tramadol is an analgesic drug used for treatment of moderate to severe pain. According to  side effects of Tramadol overdose, this study aimed to evaluate epidemiological characteristics of patients who admitted with Tramadol overdose in Imam Khomeini hospital - Kermanshah from March 2008 to March 2009.

Methods: In this descriptive- analytical study, all profiles of poisoned subjects with Tramadol who have been referred to the hospital were reviewed. Considerable variables were extracted and data were analyzed using chi-square and Independent t test.

Results: The result showed that majority of overdosed subjects was married (80.8%) and aged 19 years old (11.2%). Suicide (98.7%) was the most common cause of using Tramadol. 40% of cases showed a seizure symptom and seizure incidence in male subjects was higher than female (P<0.001). There was a significant correlation between Tramadol dosages and outbreak of a seizure symptoms.                 

Conclusion: Abuse of Tramadol may leads to seizure and death, which threat young generation less than 30 years old committed to suicide. Increasing knowledge and restriction of Tramadol availability and distribution in community is necessary to prevent young generation from suicide commitment.