How Does Tramadol Suppress Pain?

Tramadol is an innovative and atypical analgesic. It is a centrally effective drug which is used for treating moderate to acute pain. Tramadol is a synthetic agent, 4-phenyl-piperidine analogue of codeine. It has actions on the GABAergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. This drug was made by a German pharmaceutical company and was marketed under the name of Tramal. Later on this drug was licensed to many other companies across the world who markets it under various names. This drug is generally sold or marketed under the name hydrochloride salt or tramadol hydrochloride. Tramadol is Available in an injection and oral medication formulations. Tramadol is not a controlled drug in most countries and can be easily bought by normal prescription.

Pain can be traumatizing at times. Burning or shooting sensations are regular pain forms but there are also neuropathic pains which can be worse and is caused due to diseases of the peripheral nervous system. Tramadol is considered to be a unique drug which kills pain but has mild opiate properties. It is generally considered that between 100gms to 400gms of Tramadol can effectively cure pain and provide immediate relief. However slight side effects may be experienced in extreme cases like nausea, sedation and dry mouth. However these side effects, if they occur, are very short lived. Once the treatment and medicine is stopped these side effects fade away too.

Tramadol works through modulation of the GABAergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. It also has mild agonism of the µ-opioid receptor. Non-opioid activity contributes by showing the analgesic effects of tramadol. However this cannot be totally antagonised by the µ-opioid receptor antagonist naloxone. Tramadol has serotonergic modulating properties which mean that it has the capacity to interact with other serotonergic agents. But the risk factor increases when tramadol is taken in combination with serotonin reuptake inhibitors. It may result in serotonin syndrome. This happens because agents potentate the effect of 5-HT in addition to inhibiting tramadol metabolism. These antagonist effects make Tramadol a potential applicant for people in neuropathic pain states.

What all of that means is that Tramadol is basically a pain reliever. It works by simply affecting the chemicals and receptors in the body which are associated with pain. Therefore the pain in the body is reduced. It can treat moderate to moderately severe pain.

Tramadol can also be used for other purposes, since tramadol has nonopioid analgesic it can be used for recreational purposes also. Through agonism of appropiate receptors Tramadol produce affects similar opioids. The effect is not nearly as intense because it has much lower affinity for the receptor.

Tramadol can be taken in several doses as prescribed by the doctor. The number of doses are given according to the pain. It is advisable not to drive after taking this medicine as slight dizziness or drowsiness may be caused due to intake of the drug. Alcohol should be avoided while taking tramadol as it can cause a dangerous decrease in breathing and may lead to liver problems also.