Efficacy of Extended Release Tramadol for Treating Prescription Opioid Withdrawal

Prescription opioid addiction is a growing public health problem and more pharmacologic
treatments are needed because current approved medications have had limited patient
acceptance (naltrexone), limited availability (methadone), and concerns about misuse and
diversion (methadone and buprenorphine). Tramadol is a currently approved medication used
to treat moderate-severe pain, and initial studies demonstrate that it may be useful for
treatment of the uncomfortable syndrome of opioid withdrawal without producing euphoric
effects. This study will determine whether two different doses of extended release tramadol
can treat opioid withdrawal and whether tramadol itself produces withdrawal after it is no
longer taken.