Tramadol is an atypical opioid which is a centrally acting analgesic, used for treating moderate to severe pain. It is a synthetic agent, unrelated to other opioids, and appears to have actions on the GABAergic, noradrenergic and serotonergic systems. Some physicians are using tramadol in chikungunya arthritis.
Tramadol was developed by the German pharmaceutical company Granenthal GmbH and marketed under the trade name Tramal.
Dosages vary depending on the degree of pain experienced by the patient. Tramadol is approximately 10% as potent as morphine, when given by the IV/IM route. Oral doses range from 50-400 mg daily, with up to 600 mg daily when given IV/IM.