Tramadol associated with lower risk of constipation than codeine - study

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By Olivia Bowthorpe

Hospitalised patients given tramadol for non-cancer pain relief were 20% less likely to experience severe constipation than those given codeine, results of a UK analysis have shown.

Conversely, morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl and a combination of opioids were associated with a 59%, 46%, 37% and 85% higher risk for constipation, respectively when compared to codeine, Dr Meghna Jani, senior clinical lecturer at the University of Manchester, and colleagues have reported in BMC Medicine.¹