The Royal Gazette has published the Ministry of Public Health Notification on Specially Controlled Drugs (No. 57), issued by Mr. Somsak Thepsuthin, Minister of Public Health, dated June 16, 2025.
This notification is issued under the authority of Section 76 (4) of the Drug Act B.E. 2510 (1967), as amended by the Drug Act (No. 3) B.E. 2522 (1979), and Section 78 of the Drug Act B.E. 2510. Based on the recommendation of the Drug Committee during its 421-5/2024 meeting held on September 20, 2024, the following provisions are declared:
Clause 1: This notification shall come into effect 180 days after the day following its publication in the Royal Gazette.
Clause 2: The following shall be added as item (99) to Clause 3 of the Ministry of Public Health’s Notification on Specially Controlled Drugs dated May 26, 1978:
“(99) Tramadol – oral single-ingredient formulations”
Tramadol is an opioid analgesic that acts on the central nervous system. It has a similar mechanism to morphine but is less potent. It is used for moderate to severe pain, such as postoperative pain, cancer-related pain, or other forms of chronic pain.
Tramadol is a controlled drug that must be prescribed by a physician or dispensed by a pharmacist. Dosage and duration must strictly follow medical advice. It is available in various forms, including tablets, capsules, injections, and extended-release tablets.
Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, and sweating. In some cases, allergic reactions, rashes, or breathing difficulties may occur.
Contraindications include patients with a known allergy to the drug, those taking MAOIs, individuals with a history of seizures, and those under the influence of drugs or alcohol in large amounts.
