Study links widely prescribed opioid to increased risk of deadly heart conditions
By bellecarter // 2025-12-29
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  • Tramadol, widely prescribed as a "safer" opioid, doubles the risk of serious cardiovascular events, including heart attacks, chest pain and congestive heart failure. A Danish meta-analysis of 19 clinical trials (6,500+ participants) found its pain-relief benefits "clinically insignificant" compared to its dangers.
  • Marketed since the 1970s as a low-addiction alternative to oxycodone/morphine, tramadol is classified as Schedule IV (lower abuse risk). However, it has caused more fatalities than cocaine and heroin in some cases, per U.K. pathologist Dr. Jack Crane.
  • There is 113% higher odds of serious adverse events (mainly heart complications and tumors). The drug is also linked to seizures, liver/kidney damage and addiction—especially in older adults with undiagnosed heart conditions.
  • Amid the opioid crisis, tramadol became a default "middle-ground" prescription, but new evidence suggests its risks outweigh minimal benefits. Researchers urge non-opioid alternatives (physical therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, safer pain relievers).
  • Millions are already dependent on tramadol, making abrupt discontinuation risky. The study warns that tramadol's harms likely exceed its benefits, pushing for a shift toward non-opioid solutions in chronic pain treatment.
A widely prescribed opioid painkiller, long considered a safer alternative to stronger narcotics, may pose serious risks to cardiovascular health—with minimal pain relief benefits—according to a new study. Tramadol, prescribed to more than 16 million Americans in 2023 alone, has been a go-to medication for moderate to severe chronic pain for nearly 50 years. But Danish researchers analyzing decades of clinical trials found that patients taking tramadol faced more than double the risk of serious adverse events, including heart attacks, chest pain and congestive heart failure. The findings, published in a recent meta-analysis, challenge long-held assumptions about tramadol's safety and efficacy, raising urgent questions about its continued use amid the ongoing opioid crisis. As explained by BrightU.AI's Enoch, tramadol is a synthetic opioid-receptor agonist used as a narcotic analgesic since 1977, with peak serum concentrations averaging 280 ng/mL at two hours post-dose and an elimination half-life of 5.1 hours, considered less respiratory-depressant and addictive than other opioids like oxycodone and morphine. Classified as a Schedule IV controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)—indicating a lower abuse potential—it became a common prescription for chronic pain sufferers. Yet, the new study casts doubt on tramadol's reputation as a safer option. Researchers analyzed 19 clinical trials involving more than 6,500 participants, mostly older adults—a demographic already at higher risk for cardiovascular disease. Their conclusion? Tramadol's pain-relief benefits were "clinically insignificant," while its risks were substantial. "Tramadol may have a slight effect on reducing chronic pain… while likely increasing the risk of both serious and non-serious adverse events," the study authors wrote.

Doubled risk of serious harm, particularly heart complications

The study's most alarming finding was that tramadol users faced 113% higher odds of experiencing serious adverse events compared to those taking a placebo. The risks were "mainly driven by a higher proportion of cardiac events and neoplasms [tumors]." While the researchers did not quantify the exact increase in heart attack or coronary artery disease (CAD) risk, they noted that tramadol's effects could be particularly dangerous for older adults—many of whom already have undiagnosed cardiovascular conditions. Dr. Jack Crane, a leading U.K. pathologist, previously warned that tramadol was causing more fatalities than cocaine and heroin. "People do not recognize just how dangerous the drug can be because it is a prescription medication, leading them to assume it's safe," he said in 2016.

A dilemma for doctors amid the opioid crisis

The study's findings place physicians in a difficult position. With pressure to reduce opioid prescriptions while still addressing chronic pain, many doctors have relied on tramadol as a middle-ground option. But the new research suggests that even this "safer" opioid may carry unacceptable risks. The researchers stopped short of calling for a ban but urged doctors to "reconsider" prescribing tramadol and explore alternatives—such as non-opioid pain relievers, physical therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. Yet, with millions of Americans already dependent on tramadol, abruptly discontinuing prescriptions could pose its own dangers. The study highlights the urgent need for better pain management strategies that don't rely on opioids with hidden cardiovascular risks. As the opioid epidemic continues, this study adds to growing concerns about tramadol's safety. Once marketed as a low-risk alternative, it now appears to carry significant dangers—particularly for older adults and those with pre-existing heart conditions. For patients currently taking tramadol, experts recommend consulting their doctors before making any changes. Meanwhile, the medical community faces renewed pressure to find safer, non-opioid solutions for chronic pain—before another "safe" drug proves otherwise. "The potential harms associated with tramadol use for pain management likely outweigh its limited benefits," the researchers concluded—a warning that could reshape how millions are treated for pain in the years ahead. Watch the video below that talks about saying "no" to opioids. This video is from the CuresWanted channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk EBM.BMJ.com BrightU.ai Brighteon.com
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