Tramadol: The World Champion of Painkillers

Tramadol is a synthetic opiate, which gives it the benefits of non-synthetic opiates and less-pronounced drawbacks associated with abuse and tolerance build up. This makes it ideal for individuals with chronic pain that over-the-counter medication can't handle.

First developed in 1977 by Grünenthal GmbH, a German pharmaceutical firm, Tramadol has since become a leading analgesic pain medication with a number of additional benefits to conditions ranging from premature ejaculation to osteoarthritis.

Effective Pain Relief

As an opioids, Tramadol functions like other opiates such as morphine and methadone, by attaching to opioids receptors in the brain. These receptors transmit the sensation of pain throughout the body, which is inhibited by the presence of opioids.

Drugs of the opiate family are some of the most powerful pain relievers on the planet, and their potency is therefore reserved for pain that is more severe than what can be handled by more typical non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen or aspirin, which function by inhibiting molecules that trigger inflammation.

Reduced Chance Of Dependence

Studies have shown that Tramadol has a lower instance of dependence on patients than traditional opioids like morphine. While the potential still exists and the effects of withdrawal and dependence symptoms remain relatively similar, the rate of dependence is still significantly smaller than other opiates. This is because Tramadol responds to a much smaller extent with opioids receptors than other drugs, so the 'high' potential is much lower, while uncomfortable side effects such as nausea, dizziness, and loss of appetite are more likely.

The risk of dependence and potency of the drug are part of the reason that a prescription is required for Tramadol in the United States.

Low Cost

Unlike some premium, brand name medications, Tramadol is known to be relatively inexpensive, especially as a generic drug.

Cheap generic medications are possible because the person or company that develops a drug patent only holds exclusive rights to that drug for a finite amount of time so that the company can capitalize on its discovery without competition. After that point, the drug becomes available for reproduction by anyone and the subsequent competition drives down prices.

Brand names for Tramadol in the United States are Ultram, Ultram ER, and Ryzolt. (The patent for Tramadol has been cross-licensed by a number of other corporations who have developed their own form of Tramadol all over the world.)