Tramadol deaths in Northern Ireland: A review of cases from 1996 to 2012 |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcuımam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey;2. Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Kahramanmaras Sutcuımam University, Kahramanmaras, Turkey;1. UMR-1027, INSERM-Université Toulouse III, Pharmacoépidémiologie, Faculté de Médecine, Toulouse, France;2. Centre d’Evaluation et d’Information sur la Pharmacodépendance-Addictovigilance, Service de Pharmacologie Clinique, Hôpitaux de Toulouse, Faculté de Médecine, Toulouse, France;1. Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, UK;2. Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust, Oxford, UK;3. Office for National Statistics, UK;4. Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, UK;5. Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, University of Manchester, UK;6. Centre for Self-harm and Suicide Prevention Research, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, UK;7. School of Social and Community Medicine, University of Bristol, UK;8. Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, UK |
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| Abstract: | In the UK tramadol is a frequently prescribed opioid analgesic which is becoming increasingly popular as a drug of misuse. Its use varies worldwide and in the last decade it has been upgraded to a controlled substance in several countries, due to an increased number of deaths associated with its use.A review of all deaths associated with tramadol in Northern Ireland was performed and this highlighted 127 cases from 1996 to the end of 2012. A 10% increase in deaths due to tramadol was noted. In 2001 tramadol deaths represented 9% of all drug misuse deaths rising to 40% in 2011. The majority of the deaths occurred in males (62%), with a median age of 41 years, living in the Belfast city area (36%). Tramadol fatalities were found in combination with other drugs/medicines (49%), alcohol (36%) or alone (23%). Most of those who died did not reach hospital, with only 2% presenting with multi-organ or acute liver failure. In just over half of the deaths tramadol had not been prescribed by a medical practitioner (53%). Depression, addiction and seizures were recognised risk factors.An increase in awareness of tramadol toxicity is needed amongst the public and doctors. |
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| Keywords: | Tramadol Overdose |
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