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Faria J, Barbosa J, Moreira R, Queirós O, Carvalho F, Dinis-Oliveira RJ. Comparative pharmacology and toxicology of tramadol and tapentadol. Eur J Pain 2018; 22:827-844. [PMID: 29369473 DOI: 10.1002/ejp.1196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/17/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Moderate-to-severe pain represents a heavy burden in patients' quality of life, and ultimately in the society and in healthcare costs. The aim of this review was to summarize data on tramadol and tapentadol adverse effects, toxicity, potential advantages and limitations according to the context of clinical use. We compared data on the pharmacological and toxicological profiles of tramadol and tapentadol, after an extensive literature search in the US National Library of Medicine (PubMed). Tramadol is a prodrug that acts through noradrenaline and serotonin reuptake inhibition, with a weak opioid component added by its metabolite O-desmethyltramadol. Tapentadol does not require metabolic activation and acts mainly through noradrenaline reuptake inhibition and has a strong opioid activity. Such features confer tapentadol potential advantages, namely lower serotonergic, dependence and abuse potential, more linear pharmacokinetics, greater gastrointestinal tolerability and applicability in the treatment of chronic and neuropathic pain. Although more studies are needed to provide clear guidance on the opioid of choice, tapentadol shows some advantages, as it does not require CYP450 system activation and has minimal serotonergic effects. In addition, it leads to less side effects and lower abuse liability. However, in vivo and in vitro studies have shown that tramadol and tapentadol cause similar toxicological damage. In this context, it is important to underline that the choice of opioid should be individually balanced and a tailored decision, based on previous experience and on the patient's profile, type of pain and context of treatment. SIGNIFICANCE This review underlines the need for a careful prescription of tramadol and tapentadol. Although both are widely prescribed synthetic opioid analgesics, their toxic effects and potential dependence are not completely understood yet. In particular, concerning tapentadol, further research is needed to better assess its toxic effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Faria
- Department of Sciences, IINFACTS, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal.,Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - J Barbosa
- Department of Sciences, IINFACTS, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal.,Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R Moreira
- Department of Sciences, IINFACTS, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
| | - O Queirós
- Department of Sciences, IINFACTS, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal
| | - F Carvalho
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - R J Dinis-Oliveira
- Department of Sciences, IINFACTS, Institute of Research and Advanced Training in Health Sciences and Technologies, University Institute of Health Sciences (IUCS), CESPU, CRL, Gandra, Portugal.,Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy UCIBIO-REQUIMTE, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.,Department of Public Health and Forensic Sciences, and Medical Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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Jannetto PJ, Bratanow NC, Clark WA, Hamill-Ruth RJ, Hammett-Stabler CA, Huestis MA, Kassed CA, McMillin GA, Melanson SE, Langman LJ. Executive Summary: American Association of Clinical Chemistry Laboratory Medicine Practice Guideline—Using Clinical Laboratory Tests to Monitor Drug Therapy in Pain Management Patients. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2017; 2:489-526. [DOI: 10.1373/jalm.2017.023341] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Hillewaert V, Pusecker K, Sips L, Verhaeghe T, de Vries R, Langhans M, Terlinden R, Timmerman P. Determination of tapentadol and tapentadol-O-glucuronide in human serum samples by UPLC–MS/MS. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci 2015; 981-982:40-7. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2014.12.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2014] [Revised: 12/09/2014] [Accepted: 12/14/2014] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
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