title: Physical dependence on Ultram (tramadol hydrochloride): both opioid-like and atypical withdrawal symptoms occur.
abstract: In 1994, the Drug Abuse Advisory Committee (DAAC) of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that Ultram (tramadol hydrochloride) could be marketed as an analgesic drug without scheduling under the Controlled Substances Act based upon extensive pre-clinical, clinical and European epidemiological data. However, to guard against unexpectedly high levels of abuse in the United States, the DAAC recommended that an independent steering committee (ISC) be appointed to proactively monitor abuse/dependence. In the event that high rates of abuse were found, this ISC was given the authority to immediately recommend to the FDA that Ultram be scheduled. In the course of the surveillance project, the ISC received reports of withdrawal following abrupt discontinuation of Ultram and in some instances, following dose reductions. In most cases, the withdrawal symptoms consisted of classical opioid withdrawal, but in some cases were accompanied by withdrawal symptoms not normally observed in opiate withdrawal, such as hallucinations, paranoia, extreme anxiety, panic attacks, confusion and unusual sensory experiences such as numbness and tingling in one or more extremities. Withdrawal symptoms of either type were one of the more prevalent adverse events associated with chronic Ultram use, comprising nearly 40% of all adverse events reported with Ultram. Most of these consisted of typical opiate withdrawal symptoms, but 1 in 8 cases presented as atypical. These results indicate that physicians and other healthcare professionals need to be aware of the potential of Ultram to induce withdrawal of the classical opioid type, and that atypical withdrawal may also occur.
authors.affiliation: Pritzker School of Medicine, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 60637, USA.
authors.forename: Edward C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Senay
authors.forename: Edgar H
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Inciardi
authors.forename: Alvaro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muñoz
authors.forename: Sidney H
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Schnoll
authors.forename: George E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Woody
authors.forename: Theodore J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Cicero
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004335:Drug and Narcotic Control / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006801:Humans; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D014147:Tramadol / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014481:United States; D014486:United States Food and Drug Administration
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol