Tramadol is a prescription medication primarily used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain. It belongs to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics, which work by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, altering the perception of pain. Tramadol is commonly prescribed for various types of pain, including post-surgical pain, dental pain, and chronic pain conditions like osteoarthritis and fibromyalgia. Tramadol works by two mechanisms: firstly, it acts as a weak opioid agonist, meaning it binds to opioid receptors in the brain, and secondly, it inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters involved in pain signaling. This dual action helps to enhance its analgesic effects.