Prescriptions for Tramadol are strictly controlled in the United States as part of a larger initiative to prevent opiate abuse. Tramadol is used to treat mild pain, but it still carries some risk of addiction and withdrawal symptoms, especially when used with other drugs. Because it is classified as a Schedule IV medicine, patient monitoring is crucial to ensuring that, even in cases when pain relief is obtained, the likelihood of opioid-like adverse effects is kept to a minimum.