Tramadol

Tramadol (INN) (pronounced /ˈtræmədɒl/) is a centrally acting analgesic, used for treating moderate to severe pain. It is a synthetic opioid and it appears to have actions at the μ-opioid receptor as well as the noradrenergic and serotonergic systems.[1][2][3] Tramadol was developed by the German pharmaceutical company Grünenthal GmbH in the late 1970s[4] and marketed under the trade name Tramal.[5] Grünenthal has also cross licensed the drug to many other pharmaceutical companies that market it under various names such as MEDTRAP(NEOMED) Ultram, ULTRAM® ER and, most recently, Ryzolt® (Labopharm). Tramadol's chemical structure is quite different from those of opiates. The closest chemical relative of tramadol in clinical use is tapentadol, which is a member of the same chemical class as tramadol and also developed by Grünethal.