The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States has issued a warning against use of Tramadol in children and teenagers. The pain pill is sometimes prescribed after a child has undergone surgery for tonsils or adenoids, according to the FDA's drug safety alert.
Tramadol is in fact not approved for children's use, but some doctors unfortunately continue to prescribe the medication off-label, according to NBC News. When the pill is ingested, the drug becomes an opioid that turns into a metabolizer. For some people, Tramadol becomes an ultra-metabolizer, which impacts like an overdose. The result can lead to breathing problems, the warning stated. Worse, it can lead to death.
"Parents and caregivers of children taking tramadol who notice any signs of slow or shallow breathing, difficult or noisy breathing, confusion, or unusual sleepiness should stop tramadol and seek medical attention immediately by taking their child to the emergency room or calling 911," the warning read.
In France, a five-year-old boy reportedly suffered breathing problems that required him to be rushed to the hospital emergency. He was prescribed a single dose of Tramadol, in oral solution form. "The child was later found to be an ultra-rapid metabolizer and had high levels of O-desmethyltramadol in his body," the FDA said, according to Medscape. Though the side effect is rare, it is still dangerous.
The case has led the FDA to study the side effects of the pain pill further and a review is still ongoing. "Treating pain in children is important because it can lead to faster recoveries and fewer complications. Untreated pain can potentially result in long-term physical and psychological consequences. There are other pain medicines available that do not have this side effect of slowed or difficult breathing associated with tramadol and are FDA-approved for use in children," the health agency advised.
Common Tramadol brand names include ConZip, FusePaq Synapryn, Rybix ODT, Ryzolt, Theratramadol-60, Theratramadol-90, Ultram, Ultram ER, according to the US National Library of Medicine. It comes in liquid, capsule and tablet form, and is considered as an opioid analgesic. While mostly use for managing pain after surgery, an extended-release Tramadol is also available in the market for chronic pain relief.
Tramadol is only available with a doctor's prescription and there are known side effects such as dizziness, constipation and allergic reactions. The U.S. National Library of Medicine warns that intake of Tramadol may also be habit-forming. Drinking more than what is prescribed is dangerous.
