“Serious” medication errors. THE’National Agency for Medicines and Health Products Safety (ANSM) alert in a press release on overdoses of tramadol oral solution in children, after receiving several reports. Errors related to “a lack of information or misunderstandings of the dosage” can sometimes be fatal.
Vomiting, convulsions and breathing difficulties
To avoid these overdoses, the ANSM reminds healthcare professionals of the importance of providing patients with a clear dosage, for example in the number of drops per dose and in the number of doses per day. The Agency also advises them to strictly adhere to the prescription. Overdose of tramadol causes the following symptoms:
– from vomiting
– narrowing of the pupil
– disturbances of consciousness
– convulsions
– respiratory difficulty which can go as far as respiratory arrest.
The ANSM stresses that the appearance of these symptoms in a child treated with tramadol requires urgent medical care and hospitalization of the young patient.
Tramadol is usually prescribed for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. In France, it is marketed under the names Topalgic® and Contramal®. In addition, last January, a study conducted on adults reported a suspicion of a link between tramadol use and risk of depression.
>> To read also:
Software capable of analyzing children’s pain
Pain medication: how to find it
Unusual: we discovered the pain reliever tree
Health: 8 natural painkillers
