Tramadol

Excerpt

Tramadol is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a pain relief medication, specifically indicated for moderate-to-severe pain. Since July 2014, the FDA has classified tramadol as a class IV controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and addiction. Therefore, its use is restricted to cases of pain refractory to other medications, such as nonopioid pain medication. Similar to other opioids, tramadol selectively binds to various opiate receptors in the central nervous system due to its opioid nature. Immediate-release tramadol is not intended for use as an "as needed" medication but rather for pain episodes lasting less than a week. In contrast, extended-release tramadol is the preferred choice for pain persisting beyond a week, and its indication lies in providing 24-hour pain management or prolonged relief.