New Research Questions Effectiveness of Tramadol for Chronic Pain Management

Recent comprehensive analysis indicates that the widely-prescribed opioid analgesic tramadol offers only minimal relief for chronic pain conditions and is associated with increased health risks. The study, published in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine, pooled data from 19 randomized clinical trials involving 6,506 participants with chronic pain, including neuropathic pain, osteoarthritis, chronic low back pain, and fibromyalgia. Results showed that tramadol's pain-reducing effects were small and unlikely to be clinically significant.

Importantly, the analysis uncovered that tramadol doubles the risk of serious side effects, particularly cardiovascular events such as chest pain, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. There were also concerns about higher incidences of certain cancers, although the short follow-up period renders these findings uncertain. Additionally, common mild adverse effects like nausea, dizziness, constipation, and sleepiness were significantly more frequent among tramadol users.

Given these findings, researchers strongly recommend minimizing the use of tramadol, considering that its potential harms likely outweigh the limited benefits. The study underscores the ongoing opioid crisis, with opioid-related overdose deaths increasing significantly in recent years. The authors emphasize the importance of cautious opioid prescribing and suggest that healthcare providers consider alternative pain management strategies.

Although some evidence suggests tramadol might provide slight pain relief, the overall benefits are marginal, while the risks are substantial and well-documented. This underscores the need for revised clinical guidelines and more stringent evaluation of opioid medications for chronic pain treatment.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-10-widely-opioid-painkiller-tramadol-significantly.html