History of Tramadol in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: February 21, 2025

Tramadol is an opioid pain medication, marketed under brand names like Ultram, used to manage moderate to moderately severe pain. It functions both as an opioid and as a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI). Tramadol is available in immediate-release oral forms with pain relief starting within an hour and also as an injection. It is sometimes combined with paracetamol (acetaminophen).

1972: Tramadol Patented

In 1972, Tramadol was patented.

1977: Tramadol Launched as "Tramal"

In 1977, Tramadol was launched under the brand name "Tramal" by Grünenthal GmbH, a West German pharmaceutical company.

March 1995: FDA Approves Tramadol

In March 1995, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved tramadol.

September 2005: FDA Approves Extended-Release Tramadol

In September 2005, the FDA approved an extended-release (ER) formulation of tramadol.

May 2008: Sweden Classifies Tramadol as Controlled Substance

Effective May 2008, Sweden classified tramadol as a controlled substance, placing it in the same category as codeine and dextropropoxyphene.

August 2009: US District Court Rules Tramadol Patents Invalid

In August 2009, the US District Court for the District of Delaware ruled the patents for ER Tramadol invalid, allowing for generic equivalents to be manufactured and distributed.

2010: Frankie Boyle's Tramadol Nights

In 2010, the TV show Frankie Boyle's Tramadol Nights was created, inspired by tramadol abuse in the United Kingdom.

2011: Tramadol related cases in Florida and US ER visits

In 2011, Florida reported 379 tramadol-related cases, and there were 21,649 emergency room visits related to tramadol in the United States.

2013: Tramadol Found in African Tree Roots

In 2013, Michel de Waard reported the presence of tramadol in relatively high concentrations in the roots of the African pin cushion tree, Nauclea latifolia, suggesting it could be a natural product.

2013: Tramadol-related deaths in England and Wales

In 2013, there were 254 tramadol-related deaths recorded in England and Wales.

May 2014: Expiration Date of ER Tramadol Patents

In May 2014, the FDA listed the expiration of patents for ER Tramadol.

June 2014: UK Classifies Tramadol as Controlled Drug

In June 2014, the United Kingdom's Home Office classified tramadol as a Class C, Schedule 3 controlled drug, but exempted it from the safe custody requirement.

August 2014: Tramadol Classified as Schedule IV Controlled Substance in US

Effective August 2014, tramadol was placed into Schedule IV of the federal Controlled Substances Act in the United States.

2014: Tramadol in Tree Roots Linked to Human Ingestion

In 2014, Michael Spiteller and collaborators reported findings supporting the conclusion that the presence of tramadol in tree roots was due to human ingestion and livestock administration, with tramadol and its metabolites found in animal excreta contaminating the soil.

2014: Controversy over Tramadol Origin in Tree Roots

In 2014, Michel de Waard contested the conclusion that tramadol found in tree roots was the result of anthropogenic contamination, citing samples taken from national parks where livestock were prohibited.

September 2015: FDA Investigates Tramadol Safety in Children

On September 21, 2015, the FDA initiated an investigation into the safety of tramadol use in individuals under 17 years old due to reports of slowed or difficult breathing in some users.

2016: Radiocarbon Analysis Confirms Tramadol Origin

In 2016, Spiteller and colleagues followed up with a radiocarbon analysis that supported their contention that the tramadol found in N. latifolia roots was of human synthetic origin rather than plant-derived.

March 2019: Tramadol Banned by UCI

From March 2019, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) banned tramadol due to riders using the painkiller to improve their performance.

2021: Health Canada to regulate Tramadol

In 2021, Health Canada announced tramadol would be added to Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and to the Narcotic Control Regulations due to tramadol being suspected of having contributed to 18 reported deaths in Canada between 2006 and 2017.