Is tramadol a prodrug? Unpacking its complex pharmacology
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5 min read
Tramadol's analgesic effect is significantly more potent after it has been metabolized in the liver, with its main active metabolite having a substantially higher affinity for opioid receptors than the parent drug. This confirms the answer to the question: **is tramadol a prodrug?**—it relies on conversion to exert its full opioid-related pain-relieving properties. Understanding this metabolic process is crucial for predicting patient response and managing potential side effects.
