What is Tramadol? What to know about the drug after Bobby Portis Jr.’s 25-game suspension
Milwaukee Bucks forward Bobby Portis Jr. was suspended by the NBA for 25 games on Thursday for violating its anti-drug policy.
The NBA said Portis tested positive for Tramadol, a pain medication that is banned by the league and is also on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s list of banned drugs.
Mark Bartelstein, Portis’ agent, issued a statement saying his client “unintentionally” took Tramadol, mistakenly thinking it was Toradol, a pain medication approved by the NBA and its players union. The statement said Portis supports the league’s anti-drug policy, adding he is “absolutely not a drug abuser.”
“I was dealing with an elbow injury and using an NBA-approved medication for pain and inflammation,” Portis said in a statement. “During that time, I made an honest mistake and took a pain-reducing anti-inflammatory pill that is not approved. I feel horrible and recognize that I’m responsible for what I put in my body.”
Here’s what to know about Tramadol following Portis’ suspension.
What is Tramadol?
According to the Food and Drug Administration, Tramadol is a type of opioid that is used to treat “moderate to moderately severe pain in adults.”
The FDA says the drug can be found under the brand names Ultram, Ultram ER, Conzip, and also as generics. It can also be used in combination with acetaminophen, commonly used in Tylenol, under the brand name Ultracet.
Tramadol has been classified as a class IV controlled substance by U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, which means it has a low potential for abuse or dependence. Other similar class IV medications include Ambien, Xanax and Valium.
What is Toradol?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Toradol is the brand name for Ketorolac, which is also used to relieve moderately severe pain. The drug is classified as a “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug” or NSAID.
Contributing: Scooby Axson
Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.
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