Comparison of Tramadol and Butorphanol for Analgesic Efficacy and Safety

The objective of the present study was to compare the analgesic efficacy and side effects of butorphanol and tramadol.Equianalgesic doses of butorphanol (1mg) and tramadol (1mg/Kg) were compared in 50 adult patients (ASA-I) undergoing any kind of surgery requiring general anesthesia. The patients were divided into two groups of 25 each (n = 25). One of the study drugs (butorphanol/tramadol) was given intravenously just prior to induction of anesthesia in a double blind fashion. Following induction with standard doses of propofol/thiopentone Na and succinyl choline and intubation, anaesthesia was maintained with N2O/O2/Halothane. Heart rate and blood pressure were recorded from preoperative to post operative period in the recovery room and the frequency of side effects was noted by the trained nursing staff on duty following direct questioning of the patients. The proportion of patients with moderate to severe pain during postoperative period was significantly higher in tramadol group as compared to butorphanol group (p< 0.05). Time to first rescue analgesic was significantly prolonged in butorphanol group compared to tramadol group. The incidence of side effects was comparable in both the groups.To conclude according to our study, butorphanol is a very effective analgesic and contributes to balanced anaesthesia.