DrugBuyers.Com: Tramadol vs Codeine?

found this infoM

bottom line is Tramadol a synthetic opiate, I am lost.....

?Tramadol (Ultram) is unscheduled in the United States, but is available by prescription only. This means that sales and distribution are allowed only by those with a license and only to those with a prescription (according to FDA regulations). Possession is not illegal even without a prescription.

Here's some interesting info from Medscape that explains how it is Ultram can cause withdrawal symptoms in some who take it.

Tramadol hydrochloride is a synthetic, centrally active analgesic. The drug (and it's active M1 metabolite) acts as an opiate agonist, aparently by selective activity at the u-receptor. In addition to opiate agonist activity, tramadol inhibits reuptake of certain monoamines (norepinephrine, seratonin), which appears to contribute to the drug's analgesic effect. Although the relative contribution of tramadol vs. it's M1 metabolite to analgesia in humans is unknown, the metabolite is 6 times more potent than the parent drug in producing analgesia in animal models and 200 times more potent in u-receptor binding. The antinociceptic effect of tramadol is antagonized only partially by naloxone in some tests in animals and healthy individuals.

Although the pharmacologic effects of tramadol result in part from agonist activity at opiate receptors, the drug is not an opiumderivative, nor a semisynthetic derivative of morphine or thebane. However, because tramadol is an agonist of true opiate receptors, not opiate-like (i.e., opi-oid) receptors, the drug is classified as an opiate agonist in the AHFS Pharmacologic-Therapeutic Classification.

OK, I didn't understand everything there, but I did understand that to essentially say that Ultram works in/on the same part of your brain as opiates do, so your brain could think you are actually taking opiates, even if you're not, hence the withdrawal symptoms for some when they stop Ultram after using it for some time. Hope this helps to explain/clarify to someone/anyone.

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Tramadol is an effective pain reliever (analgesic). Its mode of action resembles that of narcotics, but it has significantly less potential for abuse and addiction than the narcotics. Tramadol is as effective as narcotics in relieving pain but does not depress respiration, a side effect of most narcotics. Tramadol is not a nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drug (NSAID), and does not have the increased risk of stomach ulceration and internal bleeding that can occur with the use of NSAIDs.

Narcotic analgesics of any kind, like Darvon (propoxyphene), Darvocet (propoxyphene, acetaminophen), Demerol (meperidine), Codeine, Percocet (oxycodone, acetaminophen), Vicodin (hydrocodone, acetaminophen), Vicoprofen (hydrocodone and ibuprofen) or OxyContin (oxycodone) should probably not be mixed with tramadol, as this would increase the risk of oversedation. If your doctor has suggested a rotating schedule for managing your pain with more than one analgesic, arrange your dosage schedule so that these medications are taken no closer together than 4-6 hours.

Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents, sleep medications, and muscle relaxants) such as Valium (diazepam), Halcion (triazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium (chlordiazepoxide), Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Klonopin (clonazepam), Paxipam (halazepam), Ativan (lorazepam), ProSom (estazolam), or Xanax (alprazolam) can result in oversedation in combination with Ultram. Some of these drugs may also lower the seizure threshold, especially with abrupt withdrawal. If you must use these medications together, speak to your doctor about the safety of your treatment.