TY - JOUR
T1 - Synergistic interaction between dexamethasone and tramadol in a murine model of acute visceral pain
AU - Dürsteler, Christian
AU - Miranda, Hugo F.
AU - Poveda, Raquel
AU - Mases, Anna
AU - Planas, Eulalia
AU - Puig, Margarita M.
PY - 2007/9
Y1 - 2007/9
N2 - Tramadol is effective in the management of mild to moderate postoperative pain, but its administration is associated with nausea and vomiting. Patients treated with tramadol, often receive dexamethasone as antiemetic. The aim of our investigation was to assess if the two drugs interact in a murine model of acute visceral pain. Using the acetic acid writhing test in mice, we assessed the antinociceptive effects of tramadol and dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid with antiemetic effect) administrated individually and in a 1 : 1 fixed ratio combination. Tramadol and dexamethasone induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the writhing response when administered individually, with ED50 values of 2.9 [2.09-4.31, 95% confidence limit (CL)] mg/kg, and 0.13 (0.05-0.29, 95% CL) mg/kg, respectively. The ED50 of the combination was 0.13 (0.01-0.29, 95% CL) mg/kg; the isobolographic and interaction index analysis revealed a synergistic interaction. The results suggest that the combination of tramadol and dexamethasone could be beneficial in the management of postoperative pain in humans.
AB - Tramadol is effective in the management of mild to moderate postoperative pain, but its administration is associated with nausea and vomiting. Patients treated with tramadol, often receive dexamethasone as antiemetic. The aim of our investigation was to assess if the two drugs interact in a murine model of acute visceral pain. Using the acetic acid writhing test in mice, we assessed the antinociceptive effects of tramadol and dexamethasone (a glucocorticoid with antiemetic effect) administrated individually and in a 1 : 1 fixed ratio combination. Tramadol and dexamethasone induced a dose-dependent inhibition of the writhing response when administered individually, with ED50 values of 2.9 [2.09-4.31, 95% confidence limit (CL)] mg/kg, and 0.13 (0.05-0.29, 95% CL) mg/kg, respectively. The ED50 of the combination was 0.13 (0.01-0.29, 95% CL) mg/kg; the isobolographic and interaction index analysis revealed a synergistic interaction. The results suggest that the combination of tramadol and dexamethasone could be beneficial in the management of postoperative pain in humans.
KW - Drug interactions
KW - Glucocorticoids
KW - Isobolograms
KW - Opioid analgesics
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34548655474&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2007.00511.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1472-8206.2007.00511.x
M3 - Article
C2 - 17868204
AN - SCOPUS:34548655474
SN - 0767-3981
VL - 21
SP - 515
EP - 520
JO - Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology
JF - Fundamental and Clinical Pharmacology
IS - 5
ER -