What is the main mechanism of tramadol?

Tramadol is an analgesic that is used worldwide for pain, but its mechanisms of action have not been fully elucidated. The majority of studies to date have focused on activation of the mu-opioid receptor (mu OR) and inhibition of monoamine reuptake as mechanisms of tramadol. Although it has been speculated that tramadol acts primarily through activation of the mu OR, no evidence has revealed whether tramadol directly activates the mu OR. During the past decade, major advances have been made in our understanding of the physiology and pharmacology of ion channels and G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) signaling. Several studies have shown that GPCRs and ion channels are targets for tramadol. In particular, tramadol has been shown to affect GPCRs. Here, the effects of tramadol on GPCRs, monoamine transporters, and ion channels are presented with a discussion of recent research on the mechanisms of tramadol.