Tramadol: study card

Tramadol — Opioid agonist + SNRI (atypical opioid). Study the mechanism, listed uses and warnings from the US label on one sourced card.

Generic name
Tramadol
Class
Opioid agonist + SNRI (atypical opioid)
Mechanism
Binds mu-opioid receptors and weakly inhibits reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin; metabolite M1 is a more potent mu agonist.
Used for
Severe, persistent pain in adults requiring an opioid when other options, including immediate-release opioids, cannot provide adequate control
Common side effects
Dizziness; Constipation; Nausea; Headache; Somnolence
Boxed warning
Addiction, misuse, fatal respiratory depression and accidental overdose can occur. Extended-release tablets must be swallowed whole to avoid a potentially fatal exposure. Benzodiazepines, alcohol or other CNS depressants can cause coma or death; prolonged pregnancy exposure can cause neonatal withdrawal. Use is contraindicated under age 12 and under age 18 after tonsillectomy or adenoidectomy. CYP3A4/CYP2D6 interactions can change tramadol and active-metabolite exposure.
Warnings
Serotonin syndrome; Increased risk of seizures; Contraindicated in children under 12; This extended-release formulation is not intended for as-needed pain relief
Interactions
CYP2D6 inhibitors; Serotonergic drugs, MAOIs; Benzodiazepines / CNS depressants

Brand questions use only name pairings verified against the linked product source. Unverified pairings are withheld from these questions; the other study content remains available.

Drug class families: Opioid analgesics

Read the source label ↗

Label date: 20260702 · For learning, not clinical decisions. US label and brand information; always consult the current source.

Source snapshot checked: 2026-10-21. The source document and selected fields were compared. The complete card has not had an independent clinical review.

Pronunciation

Tramadol: TRAM-a-dol

Pronunciation is shown for the US English generic name.

Other drugs in the same class

Opioid analgesics: Oxycodone / Acetaminophen, Acetaminophen / Codeine, Morphine, Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen, Oxycodone

Body system

Pain · 16 Drug cards

Compare with related cards

Oxycodone

Same class family: Opioid analgesics

Mechanism: A full opioid agonist with relative mu-receptor selectivity and analgesic activity. Although there is no defined ceiling for analgesia, respiratory and CNS adverse effects limit dosing.

On both cards: Common side effects — Constipation; Nausea; Headache · Interactions — Benzodiazepines / CNS depressants

Only on the Oxycodone card: Used for — Pain severe enough to require an opioid in adults when alternative treatments are inadequate · Common side effects — Vomiting; Pruritus · Warnings — Opioid-induced hyperalgesia; Adrenal insufficiency; Severe hypotension · Interactions — CYP3A4 inhibitors

Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen

Same class family: Opioid analgesics

Mechanism: Hydrocodone is a full opioid agonist with relative mu-receptor selectivity. Although its analgesia has no defined ceiling, respiratory and CNS adverse effects limit dosing. Acetaminophen has a separate analgesic action thought to involve central pathways; its precise mechanism is not established.

On both cards: Common side effects — Dizziness; Nausea · Interactions — Benzodiazepines / CNS depressants

Only on the Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen card: Used for — Pain severe enough to require an opioid when alternative treatments are inadequate · Common side effects — Light-headedness; Sedation; Vomiting · Warnings — Significant respiratory depression is a contraindication; Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment is a contraindication; Known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus, is a contraindication · Interactions — CYP3A4 inhibitors

Oxycodone / Acetaminophen

Same class family: Opioid analgesics

Mechanism: Oxycodone is a full opioid agonist with relative mu-receptor selectivity; its analgesic action involves CNS opioid receptors. Although analgesia has no fixed ceiling, clinical dosing is limited by toxicity including respiratory/CNS depression. Acetaminophen has an unestablished analgesic mechanism thought to involve central actions.

On both cards: Common side effects — Dizziness; Nausea · Interactions — Benzodiazepines / CNS depressants

Only on the Oxycodone / Acetaminophen card: Used for — Pain severe enough to require an opioid analgesic when alternative treatments are inadequate · Common side effects — Lightheadedness; Drowsiness / sedation; Vomiting · Warnings — Significant respiratory depression; Acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment; GI obstruction including paralytic ileus · Interactions — CYP3A4 / CYP2D6 inhibitors; CYP3A4 inducers

An item counts as shared only when both cards use the same wording. If a card does not list an item, that is not a statement that the effect never occurs.

Boxed warnings on related cards

Hydrocodone / Acetaminophen: Opioid addiction, misuse, fatal respiratory depression and accidental-ingestion overdose can occur. Combining with benzodiazepines, alcohol or other CNS depressants can cause coma or death; CYP3A4 interactions can increase opioid exposure. Prolonged use in pregnancy can cause life-threatening neonatal withdrawal. Acetaminophen can cause acute liver failure, including death, particularly with excessive total exposure or multiple acetaminophen-containing products.

Oxycodone: Risks include addiction, misuse, fatal respiratory depression and accidental-ingestion overdose. Benzodiazepines, alcohol or other CNS depressants can cause profound sedation, coma or death when combined with oxycodone. Extended use in pregnancy can cause life-threatening neonatal withdrawal. CYP3A4 inhibitors or stopping a CYP3A4 inducer can increase oxycodone exposure and overdose risk.

Oxycodone / Acetaminophen: Risks include addiction, abuse, misuse, life-threatening respiratory depression and fatal accidental ingestion. Benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants can cause profound sedation, coma or death; prolonged pregnancy exposure can cause neonatal opioid withdrawal. CYP3A4 interactions can increase fatal respiratory risk. Acetaminophen can cause acute liver failure, liver transplantation or death, often with excessive or duplicate-product exposure.

Acetaminophen / Codeine: Risks include addiction/abuse/misuse, fatal respiratory depression, fatal accidental ingestion or mg/mL dosing errors, CNS-depressant combinations, neonatal opioid withdrawal, and complex CYP interactions. Codeine can cause fatal respiratory depression in children and is contraindicated below age 12 or below age 18 after tonsillectomy/adenoidectomy. Acetaminophen can cause acute liver failure, particularly with excessive total doses or multiple acetaminophen products.