Strong painkiller tramadol is used to treat moderate to severe pain that is not being treated by other
painkillers. A synthetic opioid, tramadol operates on the brain and spine (central nervous system) to
lessen pain perception.
Tramadol is available in an extended-release formulation for the continuous management of pain.
Tramadol in this form should not be used to treat pain on and as-needed basis.
Tramadol reduces uptake of two neurotransmitters, norepinephrine and serotonin, in addition to
working at the opioid pain receptor, which may increase its pain-relieving benefits, however the precise
process is unknown.
