The agent for Bobby Portis is calling the Milwaukee Bucks forward’s use of Tramadol, the drug that has led to his suspension, “an honest mistake.”
Portis has been suspended for the Bucks’ next 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug policy, the league and team announced Thursday.
Mark Bartelstein, Portis’ agent, says his client “unintentionally” took a Tramadol pill instead of a different league-approved pain medication called Toradol last fall to treat an elbow injury and that he was given the painkiller by one of his own personal assistants who had a prescription. The similarities in the names of the drugs is what Portis’ team is claiming led to the mix up.
What’s the difference between these two drugs? Here’s more on Tramadol and Toradol, the two drugs at the center of Portis’ suspension.
Bobby Portis suspension
The NBA and the Bucks announced on Thursday that Portis violated its league’s anti-drug program and has been suspended for 25 games. Starting Thursday night, the Bucks have 29 games left in the regular season.
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The Bucks (29-24) are set to play their first game following the All-Star break Thursday against the Los Angeles Clippers at Fiserv Forum.
What is Tramadol?
Portis’ agent Mark Bartelstein quickly issued a lengthy statement in offering an explanation and noted the drug that Portis took was Tramadol.
Tramadol was added to the banned substance list last spring by the NBA, Bartelstein said.
Tramadol is in the group of medicines called opioid analgesics, according to the Mayo Clinic. Tramadol is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain, and often is given for pain after surgery. Tramadol can become “habit-forming” when used for a long time, the Mayo Clinic notes.
“Bobby unintentionally took a pain medication called Tramadol, thinking he was taking a pain medication called Toradol,” Bartelstein said.
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What is Toradol?
Toradol, the drug Portis reportedly thought he was taking, is also used to treat pain.
The drug, known as Ketorolac, is used to relieve moderately severe pain, usually pain that occurs after an operation or other painful procedure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
But unlike Tramadol, Toradol is not an opioid. It’s in a group of medicines called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is not a narcotic or habit-forming, the Mayo Clinic outlines.
Toradol is an approved pain medication by the NBA.
Portis’ agent says the Bucks player has previously used Toradol to treat pain and inflammation.
More:How other recent NBA suspensions have stacked up to the 25 games given to Bobby Portis
Where did the Tramadol come from that Bobby Portis took?
Portis got a Tramadol pill from a personal assistant of his who had a valid prescription for the painkiller, Bartelstein said.
But this person allegedly thought he was giving Portis Toradol and not Tramadol, the agent said.
“An honest mistake that was made because of the similarity in the names of the drugs and the fact they both serve a very similar purpose,” Bartelstein said.
Bobby Portis injury
Portis had an elbow injury last fall and was taking Toradol to reduce pain, Bartelstein explains.
“He believed he was taking Toradol to alleviate some pain in preparation for that night’s game,” his agent said.
