According to doctors, prescription painkiller Tramadol is 'claiming more lives than other drugs'

A seemingly harmless painkiller might be causing the bigger number of deaths than any other drugs.

According to Daily Organic Recipes, prescription painkiller tramadol is one of the most dangerous drugs out there, which has claimed more lives than even heroin and cocaine.

The source further informed that although the painkiller doesn't cause adverse effects if taken correctly, the risk related to its consumption grows if it is mixed with other kinds of drugs or alcohol.

In Northern Ireland, more than 33 deaths were linked to tramadol in the last year alone, as per the online source.

According to Professor Jack Crane, State Pathologist for Northern Ireland, people don't realize how much potential risk there is to taking tramadol because most people think it is safe as it is a prescription drug.

Although tramadol was reclassified as an illegal Class C drug without prescription in 2014, many people are turning to the black market to buy it, as stated by several anti-drug campaigners.

Professor Crane further stressed the fact that the number of deaths caused by the wrong use of tramadol would increase unless there is an urgent action from the authorities.

He expressed his fear that more people will die if certain steps are not taken. One of the steps that Crane suggests should be taken is to crackdown on the illegal market of these drugs.

He recommends that tramadol should be upgraded again as a drug, and this time to Class A.

As an effort toward making this a possibility, Crane is all set to meet the Chief Medical Officer of Northern Ireland later in the month.

Professor Crane is expecting to push the authorities for making this change with his visit.