[Immunity state of oncological patients during long-term treatment with tramal]

Narcotic analgesics have an inhibiting effect on the immunity and that is why their use for pain relief in cancer patients cannot be regarded as adequate. The effect of a new synthetic analgesic tramal (tramal hydrochloride) on the immune system has been studied. Cellular immunity indexes, immunoglobulin level, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils have been determined before treatment and 1 and 2 weeks after the treatment started. The data obtained have shown that tramal does not inhibit the immune system. It has been also noted that pain relief in cancer patients improved the indexes of cellular and humoral immunity.