Current trends in tramadol-related fatalities, Tehran, Iran 2005-2008.
Tramadol is a widely prescribed drug. Abuse of tramadol as well as tramadol-related deaths have been increasing in Iran. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the trends of tramadol-related deaths that occurred between 2005 and 2008 in Tehran, Iran. Biological samples obtained during the autopsy were analyzed. Tramadol was detected in 294 cases by itself or together with other drugs. The majority of the cases were young male adults. Tramadol-related deaths in 2008 were 32.5 times more than in 2005. These results suggest that tramadol-related fatalities are growing in Iran especially among substance abusers.
Iravani
Fariba Sardari
FS
Forensic Toxicology Department, Scientific and Educational Research Center of Legal Medicine Organization, Tehran, Iran.
Akhgari
Maryam
M
Jokar
Farzaneh
F
Bahmanabadi
Leila
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000506:poisoning; D001344:Autopsy; D002648:Child; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005260:Female; D053593:Forensic Toxicology; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009026:Mortality / Q000639:trends; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000401:mortality; D014147:Tramadol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000506:poisoning; D055815:Young Adult
D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol