High-dose tramadol conversion to buprenorphine-naloxone

J Opioid Manag. 2023 Mar-Apr;19(2):187-190. doi: 10.5055/jom.2023.0774.

Abstract

Buprenorphine-naloxone is a combination medication of an opioid partial agonist and opioid antagonist that is proven to be effective in outpatient management of opioid use disorder (OUD). Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic. This commonly used pain medication inhibits serotonin and noradrenaline reuptake by acting as a selective agonist on opioid µ receptors. Transition and tapering high-dose tramadol to buprenorphine-naloxone is not well described in the literature. We report a case of a patient who was taking 1,000-1,250 mg of tramadol daily upon presentation to the clinic. She was originally prescribed 150 mg daily with escalation in dose and frequency over a 10-year period. The patient was converted to bupren-orphine-naloxone and has been successful in treatment of OUD for 1 year.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Analgesics, Opioid / adverse effects
  • Buprenorphine* / therapeutic use
  • Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Narcotic Antagonists / therapeutic use
  • Opioid-Related Disorders* / diagnosis
  • Opioid-Related Disorders* / drug therapy
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Tramadol* / adverse effects

Substances

  • Buprenorphine, Naloxone Drug Combination
  • Tramadol
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Narcotic Antagonists
  • Receptors, Opioid
  • Buprenorphine