The Randomized Clinical Trial of Safety and Efficacy of Oral Tramadol in Patients Undergoing Colonoscopy

Background and Study Aims: Colonoscopy is a wide-spreading procedure with pain as a habitual challenge for the therapeutic team. The aim of this study is to evaluate safety and efficacy of oral tramadol in patients undergoing colonoscopy. Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled trial was performed in 124 consecutive patients who completed total colonoscopy, which is randomly divided into two groups, receiving either 100 mg single dose oral tramadol or placebo. Pain intensity during colonoscopy is evaluated by numerical rating scale (NRS) criteria in four levels: no pain, mild, moderate, and severe pain. This study was registered in www.IRCT.ir, number: IRCT2015010820610N1. Results: Two groups were matched in age, sex, and colonoscopy indication. The pain intensity in patients receiving tramadol was significantly lower than that in patients receiving placebo (P <0.05). Nausea, sweating, moaning, and palpitation during colonoscopy were significantly lower, and desire to do a colonoscopy without sedation was significantly higher in the tramadol group. Conclusion: Oral tramadol in patients undergoing colonoscopy is effective in reducing pain and symptoms.