DEA Finalizes Rule to Schedule Tramadol

On July 2, 2014, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) published in the Federal Register the final rule placing tramadol into Schedule IV of the Controlled Substances Act. This rule will become effective on August 18, 2014. At this time, all regulatory requirements applicable to Schedule IV controlled substances will apply to tramadol.

Tramadol is used to treat moderate to severely moderate pain. 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.