Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 25, 2026

Simultaneous Application of Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation during Virtual Reality Exposure
Published on: January 18, 2021
Tramadol treatment of combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder
1Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Cincinnati Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA.
Background:
Improved psychopharmacologic treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is needed. Accruing evidence implicates pain-conducting signals in PTSD pathophysiology.
Methods:
Four combat-related PTSD patients from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan were treated with open-label tramadol hydrochloride (HCL), an atypical analgesic with opioid and non-opioid mechanisms of antinociception. Tramadol also inhibits neuronal reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.
Results:
The clinical outcomes show evidence of a positive effect of twice-daily immediate-release tramadol HCL in men with combat-related PTSD. Total daily doses were 200 to 300 mg/d, with individual doses ranging from 100 to 200 mg.
Conclusions:
Given its unique mechanism of action, relatively low abuse potential, and ability to double as an analgesic for minor to moderate pain, tramadol is a promising candidate for clinical use in PTSD.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Symptoms and Behavioral Manifestations
A spectrum of distressing symptoms characterizes PTSD. Recurrent flashbacks, where individuals involuntarily relive traumatic events,...
Antidepressant Drugs: Tricyclics, SSRIs, and SNRIs
Drugs for Treatment of Diarrhea-Predominant IBS
Two specific drugs used in the treatment are alosetron (Lotronex) and eluxadoline (Viberzi). Alosetron, a 5-HT3 antagonist, works by slowing the movement of stools in the gut, reducing bowel...
Behavior Therapy
Exposure therapy is a cornerstone of behavioral treatment for anxiety disorders. It involves systematic exposure to feared stimuli, either in real...
Electroconvulsive Therapy
Traumatic Memory

