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Tramadol in pregnancy and lactation
1Department of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine, King Edward Memorial Hospital for Women, Subiaco, Australia.
International Journal of Obstetric Anesthesia
|February 10, 2012
Summary
This review examines tramadol use during pregnancy and lactation. Limited research exists on tramadol safety for pregnant women and newborns, necessitating further investigation.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Obstetrics
- Neonatology
Background:
- Tramadol is a widely used analgesic for mild to moderate pain.
- It possesses both non-opioid and weak opioid mechanisms of action.
- Tramadol has a long-standing safety record in the general population.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review existing literature on tramadol use in pregnancy and lactation.
- To assess the limited clinical research available for this specific patient population.
- To identify knowledge gaps regarding tramadol's effects on pregnant women, neonates, and breastfeeding infants.
Main Methods:
- A systematic review of English-language articles published before June 2011.
- Searches conducted across major databases: Pubmed, Medline, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane.
- Keywords used included 'tramadol and pregnancy', 'tramadol and breastfeeding', 'tramadol and lactation', and 'tramadol and neonate'.
Main Results:
- The review identified limited clinical research on tramadol's use during pregnancy and lactation.
- Tramadol is not licensed for use in pregnant or breastfeeding individuals.
- Further research is needed to establish safety profiles.
Conclusions:
- There is a significant lack of comprehensive data on tramadol's safety and efficacy in pregnant and lactating women.
- The established safety profile in the general population does not directly translate to this specific group.
- Further clinical studies are essential to guide clinical practice regarding tramadol use in pregnancy and lactation.
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