Pain is a common symptom that affects everyone at some point in their lives. Another patient reported that tramadol was not effective in managing their arthritis pain. In another study published in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacy and Therapeutics, researchers found that tramadol was effective for treating acute pain following surgery. Tramadol, on the other hand, is less potent than oxycodone but still effective in treating moderate to severe pain. Tramadol is a medication that is commonly prescribed for pain relief. If the pain is so severe that we are at the doctors office and possibly in tears that should be a clue we need strong relief. This action reduces the transmission of pain signals and enhances the release of serotonin and norepinephrine, two neurotransmitters that help regulate mood and pain perception. Zoloft, also known as sertraline, is a prescription antidepressant that belongs to a class of medications known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).