Summary: Tramadol is a centrally acting opioid painkiller and has been in use for more than 40 years, starting from Germany where it was developed made by the pharmaceutical company Grunenthal GMBH. The medicine is prescribed by physicians all over the world for its efficacy and other desirable properties and minimal side effects.
Tramadol hydrochloride also known as Ultram or Tramal is a well known painkiller made by the German drug giant Grunenthal GMBH. It has been in use for more than 40 years, beginning in Germany where it was developed. It has since spread to the rest of the world and has been legally available in the U.S. for quite some time. Tramadol is a centrally acting opioid painkiller, that is, it acts by binding to the opioid receptors of the nerves. It is used to treat pain that is severe to moderate. It is also used to treat ailments like restless legs syndrome and fibromyalgia.
Tramadol has both opioid and non-opioid properties. It is considered a safe medicine with low risk of side effects and low chance of dependence. The mechanism of action is very similar to that of a narcotic and hence risk of abuse is there. It has serotonergic and noradrenergic effects and the µ1 and µ2 receptors cause respiratory depression and euphoria. Like codeine, Tramadol is also used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. Pharmocologically, it resembles levarphenol, with lower µ-agonism. Tramadol is also similar to venlafaxine and hence may have anti-depressant effects in some patients, especially those suffering from chronic pain. Like anti-depressant drugs, it will inhibit the neuronal reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.Pharmacologically
Tramadol has to be ordered by prescription only and you must buy it from a local drug store by giving your prescription or online from a legitimate site. It is said to be the closest thing to a narcotic that you can buy, and hence it constitutes a federal crime to order it from outside the U.S. There are many illegal sites that sell counterfeit drugs and the DEA has clamped down on more than 500 such sites. Be wary and if you must order it online, ask your doctor which are the safe sites from which you can order. Being cheated in price is not he problem, but you cannot risk ingesting some potentially dangerous fake medicine.
So what are the side effects of Tramadol? Constipation, itching, sweating, vomiting and nausea are commonly are commonly reported. Some patients have also reported sedative effects. Although chance of dependence is very low for this drug, nevertheless, some patients have reported symptoms like contraction of muscles and nervous tremors if the medication is withdrawn too quickly. Discontinuation of Tramadol should be done gradually by slowly reducing the dosage.