Tramadol: Balancing Pain Relief and Safety in Clinical Practice
Target Audience: Pharmacist, Pharmacy Tech, Physician Assistant, Physician
Course Overview
Tramadol is a synthetic, schedule IV opioid that is used for the treatment of acute and long-term pain, and as an analgesic agent in perioperative clinical settings. Tramadol is widely prescribed in the US and worldwide. Its historical popularity was partly due to its perceived favorable side effects profile and safety, and the perception that it was less likely to be misused than other short-acting opioids; however, tramadol may be just as misused as other opioids. Tramadol remains a popular drug to prescribe, and it does provide positive patient outcomes when it is used properly; however, it is not indicated for all patient populations, and for some patients, dosing should be adjusted. Because of tramadol's pharmacodynamics, it can cause an accidental overdose. In these cases, tramadol can cause serious morbidities and death.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this educational activity, participants should be able to:
- Describe the basic pharmacological profile, use, and clinical outcomes of tramadol treatment
- Identify the dosing for tramadol for the treatment of acute and long-term pain
- Compare the benefits and risks of tramadol compared to other drugs used to treat acute and long-term pain
- Identify the contraindications and potential side effects of tramadol
Faculty
- Introduction
- Clinical Overview of Tramadol
- History and Controlled Status
- Pharmacologic Profile
- Indications and Uses
- Formulations and Dosing
- Tramadol Safety Considerations
- Adverse Effects of Tramadol
- Boxed Warnings and Contraindications
- Additional Warnings and Clinical Considerations
- Tramadol Use in Special Populations
- Pediatrics
- Older Adults
- Hepatic or Renal Impairment
- Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- Tramadol Misuse and Overdose
- Tramadol Use Disorder
- Tramadol Overdose
- Patient Case
- Summary
From March 2, 2026 through March 2, 2029, participants must:
- Read the "learning objectives" and "author and planning team disclosures"
- Study the section entitled "educational activity"
- Complete the Course Test and Evaluation form. The Course Test will be graded automatically. Following successful completion of the Course Test with a score of 70% or higher, a statement of participation will be made available immediately. (No partial credit will be given.)
Credit for this course will be automatically uploaded to CPE Monitor®.
Faculty Planner Disclosure
The following individuals were involved in planning, developing, and/or authoring this activity: L. Austin Fredrickson, MD, FACP; Sandra Rogers, MD; Kelsey Giara, PharmD, RPh; and Pamela Sardo, PharmD, BS. None of the individuals involved in developing this activity has a conflict of interest or financial relationships related to the subject matter. There are no financial relationships or commercial or financial support relevant to this activity to report or disclose by RxCe.com or any of the individuals involved in the development of this activity.
Unlabeled Use Disclosure
The information provided in this course is general in nature, and it is designed solely to provide participants with continuing education credit(s). This course and materials are not meant to substitute for the independent, professional judgment of any participant regarding that participant's professional practice, including but not limited to patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and/or health management. Medical and pharmacy practices, rules, and laws vary from state to state, and this course does not cover the laws of each state; therefore, participants must consult the laws of their state as they relate to their professional practice. Healthcare professionals must consult their employer, healthcare facility, hospital, or other organization for guidelines, protocols, and procedures to follow. The information provided in this course does not replace those guidelines, protocols, and procedures, but is for academic purposes only, and this course's limited purpose is for the completion of continuing education credits. Participants are advised and acknowledge that information related to medications, their administration, dosing, contraindications, adverse reactions, interactions, warnings, precautions, or accepted uses is constantly changing. Any person taking this course understands that such a person must make an independent review of medication information before any patient assessment, diagnosis, treatment and/or health management. Any discussion of off-label use of any medication, device, or procedure is informational only, and such uses are not endorsed hereby. Nothing contained in this course represents the opinions, views, judgments, or conclusions of RxCe.com LLC. RxCe.com LLC is not liable or responsible to any person for any inaccuracy, error, or omission with respect to this course or course material.
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Accreditation
In support of improving patient care, RxCE.com is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
PTCB Recognition
RxCe.com, LLC, offers pharmacy technician continuing education courses for PTCB recertification. Pharmacy technician courses are indicated both in the Target Audience description and the ACPE UAN which will end with a "T".