Course Summary
In comparison to opioids like hydromorphone and morphine, tramadol is sometimes called a weak opioid and is a Schedule IV drug, however tramadol can lead to a substance use disorder and cause serious morbidities and death. Tramadol should be used cautiously because it can cause sedation and other physical side effects. Dosing adjustments should be made for patients with hepatic and renal conditions and, when given in patients with comorbid hepatic and renal disease, ongoing monitoring of patient response and progress needs to be done. Tramadol should be avoided or used with caution in patients with a history of a mental illness and history or risk of a substance use disorder. Although said to be a weak opioid, tramadol use disorder is a real risk and it can be a dangerous drug when taken in overdose.
Course Format
Homestudy
Course Syllabus
- I. Introduction
- II. Pharmacological Profile of Tramadol
- 1. Category
- 2. Uses
- 3. Mechanism of Action
- 4. Regulatory Status
- 5. Available Forms
- 6. Dosing
- 7. US Boxed Warning
- 8. Contraindications
- 9. Warnings
- 10. Use During Breastfeeding and Pregnancy
- III. Expanded Pharmacology Information
- IV. Tramadol Use Disorder
- V. Tramadol Overdose
- 1. Treatment of Overdose
- VI. Case Study
- VII. Summary
Author
Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI
Dana Bartlett is a professional nurse and author. His clinical experience includes 16 years of ICU and ER experience and over 27 years as a poison control center information specialist. Dana has published numerous CE and journal articles, written NCLEX material, textbook chapters, and more than 100 online CE articles, and done editing and reviewing for publishers such as Elsevier, Lippincott, and Thieme. He has written widely on the subject of toxicology and was a contributing editor, toxicology section, for Critical Care Nurse journal. He is currently employed at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. He lives in Wappingers Falls, NY.
