Tramadol versus placebo for chronic pain

General EM PGY1 PGY2 PGY3 PGY4

I’ve never routinely used tramadol in my practice, as I’ve never been fully convinced of its therapeutic role. I acknowledge my bias toward this medication; however, a recent article in BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine discussed its use in reducing chronic pain, noting only a low certainty of evidence. Given the current evidence, the risks associated with tramadol use in pain management seem to outweigh its limited therapeutic benefit.

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