Tramadol immediate-release tablets and oral solution are used as a short-term treatment to relieve severe pain (pain that begins suddenly, has a specific cause, and is expected to go away when the cause of the pain is healed) in people who are expected to need an opioid pain medication and who cannot be controlled by the use of alternative pain medications. Tramadol extended-release tablets and capsules are used to relieve severe and persistent pain in people who are expected to need an opioid pain medication to relieve pain around-the-clock for a long time and who cannot be treated with other pain medications. Tramadol extended-release tablets and capsules should not be used to treat mild or moderate pain, short-term pain, or pain that can be controlled by medication that is taken as needed. Tramadol is in a class of medications called opiate (narcotic) analgesics. It works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.