Tramadol is an opioid pain medication used when non-opioid medications aren't working well enough to control pain. Compared to other opioids, tramadol might have a lower risk of misuse and dependency. But tramadol is a controlled substance and has a lot of potentially serious risks, so it must be used with caution. We answer your top questions about tramadol including: is tramadol a narcotic, can you get addicted, and how can you safely take this drug? Tramadol is highly metabolized in the body. Some people change tramadol to a stronger product (O-desmethyltramadol) more quickly than others. These individuals are called ultra-rapid metabolizers of tramadol. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience extreme sleepiness, confusion, or shallow breathing. Tramadol is an opioid analgesic drug used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It works similar to morphine. Tramadol can be highly addictive, and if you stop taking the drug abruptly it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Examples of side effects of tramadol are upset stomach, constipation, and headache, but they usually are temporary. Tramadol ER is used to treat chronic pain that can't be managed with other pain relievers. Learn about its side effects, cost, dosage, and interactions. Find patient medical information for Tramadol (Ultram, Conzip, Qdolo) on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings, and user ratings What is Tramadol? Brief Overview Tramadol is a prescribed medicine that is present in two forms. Immediate-release: After using, it starts working in the body right away. It is recommended for pain that lasts at least one week. Extended-release: These forms of medicine take little time to show their response. It is recommended for pain beyond. NHS medicines information on tramadol - what it's used for, side effects, dosage and who can take it. Tramadol, sold under the brand name Tramal among others, [19][1] is an opioid pain medication and a serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) used to treat moderate to severe pain. [15][19] When taken by mouth in an immediate-release formulation, the onset of pain relief usually begins within an hour. [15] It is also available by injection. [20] It is available in combination with. Tramadol is an opioid medication that may be used to treat moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults, including pain after surgery.