Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic generally, considered to be a relatively safe medicinal drug with relative low addictive potential. Fatal intoxications are rare and appear to be associated with application of large doses of tramadol. There is growing evidence of use and abuse of tramadol in several countries. In the Slovak Republic, tramadol is a prescription-only medicine. The aim of this paper is a retrospective study of tramadol-related deaths in the Slovak Republic. Analysis of all deaths related to tramadol use or abuse in the years 2004 and 2015 was performed. The criteria matched 106 cases. The results of the study showed expressive increased occurrence of fatal consequences of tramadol use or abuse in the Slovak Republic.

Key words: tramadol – use – abuse – overdoses – autopsy – toxicological analysis