Tramadol has been used as a painkiller for almost thirty years in both the hospital and the home environment. During this time, research has varied in intensity. As a new drug in the late 1970s, physicians were naturally interested to find out exactly what the medication would do. There was then a lull until the 1990s when it was discovered that Tramadol not only interacts with the opioid receptors, but also acts to inhibit the reuptake of serotonin and noradrenaline. In a hospital, Tramadol is a part of the general panel of drugs and therapies used to relieve pain, particularly following surgery where pain may be acute. There is clear and continuing evidence of good pain relief when administered intravenously or by injection. However, its use as a part of the anesthetic is now reduced because it seems to allow some level of consciousness during the operation. Patients are able to recall some events during surgery. There is also some evidence of breathing difficulties after surgery where large amounts of Tramadol have been used. Although some patients experience nausea and, occasionally, vomiting, there are rarely any adverse effects when Tramadol is used after surgery. This makes it the preferred choice as against the other narcotic painkillers because the risks of addiction are minimal.

In different hospital contexts, Tramadol is used for pain relief during labor without adverse reaction from either the mother or the child as it is born. It has also established an excellent track record for relieving pain following a heart attack. However, the greatest strides have been made in the treatment of the pain from cancer. As the tumors become more aggressive, Tramadol is recommended by the World Health Organization as the safest and most effective drug to use until the more advanced stages when morphine has to be used.

In the home context, Tramadol in tablet form remains the staple drug for the relief of both acute and chronic pain. Its key advantage over the more powerful opioid analgesics is that it is less likely to produce physical or psychological dependence. So long as the instructions given by the physician are followed, it should produce good relief from moderate to severe pain. Because it affects the serotonin and noradrenaline systems, it is also useful to reduce the risk of anxiety and depression without having to immediately resort to antidepressants. So, no matter how you look at it, Tramadol is a great all-round performer.