What is Ultram?

Tramadol (marketed as Ultram, and as generics) is an opioid pain medication which is used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain.

Serious side effects may include seizures, increased risk of serotonin syndrome, decreased alertness, and drug addiction. Common side effects include: constipation, itchiness and nausea, among others. A change in dosage may be recommended in those with kidney or liver problems. Its use is not recommended in women who are breast feeding or those who are at risk of suicide.

Tramadol is marketed as a racemic mixture of both R- and S-stereoisomers. This is because the two isomers complement each other's analgesic activity. It is often combined with paracetamol (acetaminophen) as this is known to improve the efficacy of tramadol in relieving pain. Tramadol is metabolised to ''O''-desmethyltramadol, which is a more potent opioid. It is of the benzenoid class.

Tramadol was launched and marketed as Tramal by the German pharmaceutical company Grünenthal GmbH in 1977 in West Germany, and 20 years later it was launched in countries such as the UK, U.S., and Australia.