Tramadol-Induced Acute Seizures: A Report of Three Cases

Abstract

There is a rise in substance abuse in Nigeria and prescription drugs, particularly opioid analgesics, which are increasingly becoming a target of abuse. Abuse of the opiod tramadol has the potential to precipitate seizures. We present 3 cases of tramadol-induced seizures presenting at Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife. The three patients were men, aged 22-40 years and abused other drugs including alcohol, cannabis and Rohypnol. This report illustrates the fact that tramadol abuse may be associated with acute seizures and it is reasonable to consider drug/opiod-induced seizure in every case of unexplained first episode of seizure in a young adult Authors M B Fawale 1, A A Adebowale 1, A O Idowu 1, S A Balogun 2, A A Sanusi 1, M A Komolafe 1