title: Comparison of efficacy between buprenorphine and tramadol in the detoxification of opioid (heroin)-dependent subjects.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Tramadol is a synthetic opiate and a centrally acting weak m-opioid receptor agonist. The potential advantages of tramadol include ease of administration, low abuse potential, and being nonscheduled. This study compared tramadol and buprenorphine for controlling withdrawal symptoms in patients with opioid dependence syndrome.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consenting male subjects between 20 and 45 years of age who fulfilled the ICD-10-DCR criteria for opiate dependence syndrome were randomly assigned in a double-blind, double-dummy placebo-controlled trial for detoxification. Those with multiple drug dependence, abnormal cardiac, renal and hepatic functions, psychosis, or organic mental illness were excluded. Assessments included Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS), Objective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (OOWS), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Side Effect Check List. Subjects were evaluated daily and study duration was 10 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Sixty two subjects were enrolled. The mean SOWS and OOWS and VAS were significantly lower in the buprenorphine group on second and third day of detoxification as compared to the tramadol group. Although the retention rate was higher for buprenorphine group throughout the study, when compared with tramadol the difference was not significant on any day. Three subjects in the tramadol group had seizures.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Tramadol was found to have limited detoxification efficacy in moderate to severe opioid withdrawal and substantial risk of seizures as compared to buprenorphine. Further studies are warranted to examine its efficacy in mild opioid withdrawal symptoms and its potential use in outpatient settings where its administration advantages may be valuable.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Jatinder Mohan
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Chawla
authors.forename: Hemraj
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Pal
authors.forename: Rakesh
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lal
authors.forename: Raka
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: Nina
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Schooler
authors.forename: Yatan Pal Singh
authors.initials: YP
authors.lastname: Balhara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000701:Analgesics, Opioid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002047:Buprenorphine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D057189:Checklist; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D006556:Heroin Dependence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D058850:Opiate Substitution Treatment / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014147:Tramadol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000701:Analgesics, Opioid; D014147:Tramadol; D002047:Buprenorphine