Comparative Trials
Tramadol versus Oxycodon
STUDY OBJECTIVE:
To compare the effects of Tramadol and Oxycodone on breathing function.
DESIGN:
This was a double-blind randomized study with a placebo control.
PATIENTS:
36 ASA physical status I and II patients undergoing minor surgery with general anesthesia.
INTERVENTIONS:
Tramadol 0.6 mg/kg and Oxycodone 0.04 mg/kg were given intravenously and the effects on breathing rate were compared after anesthesia was induced with propofol and succinylcholine administered by a tube inserted through the mouth into the trachea. The patients were allowed to breathe halothane in 70% nitrous oxide and oxygen through a non-return valve. The trial drugs or placebo were administered after the patients had recovered from the neuromuscular block.
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RESULTS:
Side-stream spirometry in combination with end-tidal halothane of 0.3% administered for 30 minutes before surgery, was used to monitor the volume of oxygen inhaled and exhaled and end-tidal carbon dioxide concentrations (ETCO2), tidal volume (VT) minute volume of ventilation (VE), and respiratory rate (RR). Oxycodone was shown to cause material hypoventilation (i.e. reduced breathing function) through an increase in the inhaled/exhaled oxygen difference and ETCO2, and as a decrease in VE and RR. But the effect of Tramadol matched the placebo. VT was not affected by either drug under study.
CONCLUSIONS:
Tramadol was not associated with hypoventilation in the setting studied.
