LACTNET Archives

Lactation Information and Discussion

LACTNET@COMMUNITY.LSOFT.COM

Options: Use Forum View

Use Monospaced Font
Show Text Part by Default
Show All Mail Headers

Message: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Topic: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]
Author: [<< First] [< Prev] [Next >] [Last >>]

Print Reply
Subject:
From:
"Dr. Tom Hale" <[log in to unmask]>
Reply To:
Lactation Information and Discussion <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Fri, 4 Aug 1995 12:17:23 -0500
Content-Type:
text/plain
Parts/Attachments:
text/plain (31 lines)
A new analgesic has just now been introduced and will probably be
encountered by most of you in the near future.   I thought I'd provide a
little preliminary info to get you started.

It is called  Ultram(tramadol)(Ortho-McNeil).   Tramadol interacts with the
same mu receptors as the opiates,  but it seems to lack the euphoric effect
of the other opioids and therefore has not been scheduled as a controlled
substance.  Tramadol is probably closest in analgesia to codeine,  a little
less than morphine,  and will in some instances replace codeine preparations
such as Tylenol #3 or Empirin # 3,  although it is easily at least 6 times
more expensive.    I imagine it will show up in the OB wards soon.   After
oral administration it attains a peak plasma level in about 2 hours.  Its'
adult half-life is 5-9 hours, although the analgesia only lasts for 6 hrs.
Interestingly,  the package insert contains significant breastfeeding data.
The usual dosage ranges from 50-300 mg per day.   Protein binding is low = 20%.

Following a single dose of 100 mg IV,  the total amount of tramadol excreted
in breastmilk after 16 hours was 100 micrograms ( approximately 0.1% of the
maternal dose).  Although the manufacturer does not recommend this analgesic
in infants(as usual!!),  it is apparent that the levels in milk are
extremely low.

___________________________________

Tom Hale
Texas Tech University School of Medicine

___________________________________

>

ATOM RSS1 RSS2