Tramadol is a centrally acting analgesic with opioid and serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor properties. Standard opiate screens may not detect tramadol reliably; LC-MS/MS testing identifies tramadol and its active O-desmethyl metabolite (M1) with specificity.
This test is used in pain management compliance monitoring, addiction medicine, and forensic testing. Detection of the M1 metabolite confirms genuine metabolism rather than direct sample adulteration. Sample type is urine.