Latrina
All of the effects of Tramadol (Ultram) embody the definition of a narcotic, but it's always classified as a narcotic-like drug.What makes it not a narcotic?
Caterina
Erm. Not sure what above is talking about, as tramadol's principal mechanism of action is at the mu-opiate receptor, and it's considered a synthetic opiate. It does, unlike many other opiates, have very significant serotonergic and noradrenergic activities. This makes it a narcotic as far as the common usage and the pharmacological terminology.The difference is that for whatever reason, probably due to the above outside mechanisms, tramadol has an extremely low potential for abuse. Why? Don't know. But people just don't abuse it. There's a variety of explanations for this, all due to the very odd nature of the drug. Because of this, it's not heavily controlled in most places.
Laverne
While I agree that tramadol has a low potential for abuse, that doesn't mean that there aren't folks out there abusing it all the same. See here: www.erowid.org/experien and here: abcnews.go.com/Health/s
Evelynn
In laymens terms...Tramadol is not an Opiate when you take it, but once your liver filters it out, the remains that your body has to process is an opiate. That's why it has the effects of an opiate but technically is not considered one.
Neil
A narcotic is an opiod medication. Tramadol is not an opiod and therefore not a narcotic. Opiods are things like codeine, oxycodone, morphine and all the long-acting morphine derivatives. Tramadol is a one of a kind medication that is as potent as a narcotic in relieving pain but not in the class of opiod medications.
Overton
Beverly Hills
Kountze
Raywick
Isleton
Bicknell