Tramadol is a prescription pain reliever used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It belongs to a class of medications known as opioid analgesics, which work by altering how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Tramadol also affects serotonin and norepinephrine levels in the brain, enhancing its pain-relieving effects. Available in immediate-release and extended-release forms, it is often prescribed for conditions such as post-surgical pain or chronic pain disorders like arthritis.