Tramadol is a prescription medication used to manage moderate to moderately severe pain. It is classified as a centrally acting analgesic and is often prescribed when other pain medications are not appropriate or effective. Tramadol is used to treat various types of pain, including pain from injuries, surgeries, and chronic conditions such as osteoarthritis or back pain. Tramadol works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain, which helps to reduce the perception of pain. It also inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin, neurotransmitters involved in pain modulation, which contributes to its analgesic effects.