title: Tramadol today.
abstract: Tramadol is a unique analgesic offering moderate, dose-related pain relief through its action at multiple sites. In contrast to pure opioid agonists, it has a low risk of respiratory depression, tolerance and dependence. Troublesome side-effects have been reported, but tramadol has been established as an adjunct to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the treatment of moderate postoperative pain and to abolish shivering. It may have advantages in paediatric and day-case surgery and as an adjunct in local anaesthetic techniques. This review provides an evidence-based account of the role of tramadol in modern practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anesthesiology, University of Stellenbosch, Tygerberg, South Africa. pjlr@maties.sun.ac.za
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: le Roux
authors.forename: J F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Coetzee