Tramadol is a narcotic opioid pain reliever with similar effects to morphine and codeine.3 Unlike other opioids, it also acts as a stimulant. Opioids were initially developed as a pain reliever, and they mimic the effects of the opium poppy. They work by altering the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.4
The medication treats symptoms of moderate to severe pain in adults, especially osteoarthritis, and is currently sold under the brand names Conzip, Qdolo, and Ultracet (which also contains Acetaminophen).5
In 2014, tramadol became a controlled substance, but it wasn’t considered an opioid when first approved for marketing in the U.S. in 1995.6 Now, tramadol has a Schedule IV rating, which indicates a relatively low potential for misuse and dependence.7