OVERDOSAGE CAUSES OF TRAMADOL

Overdosage can induce seizures & respiratory depression:

• In overdose, tramadol produces significant neurologic toxicity such as seizures, coma and respiratory depression, while cardiovascular toxicity seems to be limited to mild tachycardia and hypertension.

• When seizures do occur with tramadol use, they are commonly of short duration and are easily treatable.  In one reported case of a seizure, the convulsions were induced by naloxone administration.

• Hence, although respiratory depression in overdose can be treated with the opioid antagonist, naloxone, reversal of all opioid poisoning should be conducted with low doses, repeated as clinically indicated, to avoid rebound effects including pain, hypertension, tachycardia and seizures.