Tramadol is a prescription medication that belongs to the class of drugs known as opioid analgesics. It is primarily used to manage moderate to moderately severe pain. Tramadol works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which helps to decrease the perception of pain.
Tramadol is available in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. The immediate-release version provides quick pain relief, while the extended-release version provides a longer-lasting effect, typically lasting for about 12 to 24 hours.