By Jane Kirby

Copyright independent

New research indicates that the painkiller tramadol offers only slight alleviation for chronic pain, with its potential side effects possibly outweighing any perceived benefits.

A study published in BMJ Evidence Based Medicine, which assessed 19 clinical trials, found tramadol’s impact on chronic pain to be small and below what would be considered clinically effective.

Researchers noted a doubling in the risk of harms associated with tramadol compared with placebo drugs, primarily driven by a higher proportion of heart disease, chest pain, and congestive heart failure.

Other reported side effects included nausea, dizziness, constipation, and sleepiness.

Given these trends and findings, experts concluded that the use of tramadol and other opioids should be minimised to the greatest extent possible.