Local anesthetic effect of tramadol, metoclopramide, and lidocaine following intradermal injection

• Published in: Regional anesthesia and pain medicine Vol. 23; no. 6; p. 580
• Main Authors: Pang, W W, Mok, M S, Chang, D P, Huang, M H
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01-11-1998
• Subjects: Adult; Analgesics, Opioid - pharmacology; Anesthesia, Local; Anesthetics, Local - pharmacology; Antiemetics - pharmacology; Cold Temperature; Double-Blind Method; Female; Humans; Injections, Intradermal - adverse effects; Lidocaine - pharmacology; Male; Metoclopramide - pharmacology; Middle Aged; Pain - etiology; Pain Measurement; Placebos; Sensation - drug effects; Skin - drug effects; Touch - drug effects; Tramadol - pharmacology
• ISSN: 1098-7339
• DOI: 10.1016/S1098-7339(98)90085-2

We observed clinically that tramadol and metoclopramide appear to have local anesthetic action. Tramadol is a central-acting analgesic. Metoclopramide is a commonly used antiemetic. The local anesthetic effect of tramadol in reducing propofol injection pain has never been mentioned, although it was speculated with metoclopramide.
We conducted a double-blind, placebo-controlled study by injecting tramadol or metoclopramide intradermally in 10 healthy volunteers (5 men, 5 women; age 25-56 years). Each subject received 0.5 mL of four solutions in random order on the volar side of the forearm. These solutions were 25 mg tramadol, 5 mg metoclopramide, 5 mg lidocaine, and 0.5 mL normal saline. Pain on injections and the degree of local anesthesia (tested by pinprick, light touch, and cold) at each site was reported on a 0-3 scale at designed time intervals.
Like 1% lidocaine, tramadol and metoclopramide demonstrated loss of sensation for pinprick, light touch, and cold for 15 minutes after intradermal injection (P < .01 ).
Intradermal tramadol or metoclopramide can produce local anesthetic effect.