Seizurogenic Effects of Low-dose Naloxone in Tramadol Overdose

Tramadol is used in treatment of moderate to severe pain. Nowadays tramadol overdose is one of the common emergencies. Naloxone is an antagonist which is used as a first step of treatment in these patients. This study was designed to evaluate the seizurogenic effects of naloxone in tramadol overdose. A number of 124 patients with the diagnosis of tramadol overdose were divided to receive low-doses of intravenous naloxone (0.8 mg, case group) or just supportive cares (control group). All patients in case and control groups were observed by a single emergency resident and fallowed for 1.5 hours to document the happening of seizures. In the naloxone group, incidence of seizure was higher than in control group. The possibility of seizure occurrence was significantly higher in naloxone group than the control group (p<0.05). In conclusion, naloxone induced a seizurogenic effect in patients with tramadol overdose. This finding could be considered in the management of patients with tramadol overdose.