Tramadol hydrochloride is the full name: is a centrally acting opioid analgesic used to treat moderate to moderately severe p ... ain”. It’s sold under a range of brand names . It works on the brain and nervous system to reduce pain and is a medium to strong pain killer, this is not what people take for a headache. Instead it’s used for chronic and acute pain relief. As an opiate it can be addictive. Indeed as well as correct use it is also abused. By some measures prescription drugs, including Tramadol, are abused in greater quantities in the US than illegal drugs from heroin to cocaine etc. Tramadol is abused around the world thanks to its addictive properties, for example it’s been widely used in Gaza where the opiate properties provide relief to bored kids and tired tunnellers alike while the British are considering banning its sale. Searching the web for information on the molecule for this piece revealed countless websites offering it for sale. As a painkiller it’s probably got greater uses in other sports, for example where injury during play is more common, for example football. But rather than taking painkillers following injury they are being consumed before. One study by football governing body FIFA revealed about one third of the players in the 2010 World Cup were regularly taking painkillers prior to a game. This could be anything from paracetamol to Tramadol. The point is that this drug is being used and abused all round us. read more