Emergence of Adverse Reactions to Tramadol in Children and Adolescents at a Paediatric Hospital

Abstract

ABSTRACTBackgroundThe use of tramadol at The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne has dramatically increased. This has coincided with the emergence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs).AimTo investigate potential adverse reactions to tramadol in children and adolescents as compared with adults.MethodThe ADR program at the hospital detects both spontaneously reported ADRs and those identified by medical records coding reports. For this study, reported reactions to tramadol were retrieved from the hospital's ADR database. Comparison with reports from the Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee and the literature was made.Results8 ADR reports implicating tramadol in patients aged from 14 months to 22 years were identified.ConclusionSome insight was gained into the possible adverse effects of tramadol in children and adolescents, which are similar to the reported profile of adverse reactions in adults. Further pharmacovigilance studies are required to expand on these findings and provide direction to ensure the safe use of tramadol in this age group.