To treat moderate to severe pain, a prescription drug called tramadol is utilized. It's a member of the opioid analgesics class of medications. The way tramadol affects the body's perception and reaction to pain is by attaching itself to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. To further add to its pain-relieving properties, it also has some activity as a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. Tablets with immediate release, tablets with delayed release, and capsules are among the forms of tramadol that are available. How much pain there is and how well a person responds to the drug determine how much and how often tramadol should be used.