Two Pain Medications Prescribed for Different Types of Pain
Hydrocodoneandtramadolare both strong opioid prescription pain medicines.
Opioids and narcotic pain medicines can lead to opioid use disorder.
Therefore, healthcare providers typically aim to prescribe just enough pain relief for your condition.
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These drugs change how the brain and nervous system respond to pain.
They can also have feel-good effects due to releasing brain chemicals like dopamine and norepinephrine.
Hydrocodone is a more potent opioid.
It has a higher potency but a higher potential of being misused.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies hydrocodone as a Schedule II drug.
Tramadol has a lower potential for misuse and is classified as a Schedule IV drug.
It is also a less potent painkiller.
These drugs are both controlled substances.
They are closely regulated, and healthcare providers closely monitor patients using them.
Thats because these drugs can be addictive.
They treat severe pain after an operation or due to cancer.
Common brand names for tramadol include ConZip, FusePaq Synapryn, and Qdolo.
When combined with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol, tramadol is marketed as Ultracet.
Cost
Tramadol and hydrocodone pain medicines are generally affordable if a generic version works for your situation.
Ask a healthcare provider about finding the cheapest options for you.
Compare drug prices online to find the most cost-effective options for your situation.
Tramadol typically relieves short-lived pain of the muscles and joints, or pain due to a wound.
Extended-release tramadol medications may be used forchronic painlike osteoarthritis.
Hydrocodone is a powerful pain reliever often used when other pain medicines are no longer working.
Opiates are compared using a morphine-equivalent dose.
This is the amount of the drug needed to equal a dose of morphine.
One 30-milligram (mg) dose of hydrocodone is equivalent to one 30 mg dose of morphine.
But 300 mg of tramadol would be equivalent to one 30 mg dose of morphine or hydrocodone.
Quantities are up to 300 mg given once daily for extended release.
Bioavailability
Bioavailabilityis the amount of drug that makes it into the bloodstream when taken by mouth.
Side Effects
Tramadol and hydrocodone are strong prescription pain relievers.
They both have extensive lists of side effects.
They are both addictive and can lead to opioid use disorder.
What Is Opioid Use Disorder?
Be careful when taking these medications.
Always take them the same way (with food or without) at the same time of the day.
Take them exactly as prescribed.
Do not give them to other people, even if they ask you to try your medication.
Opioids like tramadol and hydrocodonecan cause constipation.
Talk to your healthcare provider about changing your diet and using other medications to treat or prevent constipation.
Some side effects of tramadol are more serious.
The side effects listed below should be immediately reported to a healthcare provider.
Some side effects can be severe.
Your healthcare provider will prescribe either tramadol or hydrocodone.
These two medications should not be used at the same time.
Taking them together could cause an overdose or severe side effects that could threaten your life.
In addition, you’ve got the option to try antidepressants, anticonvulsants, and topical pain medications.
Someherbs are helpful for pain relief, as well.
Overdosing on opioids causes shallow breathing that deprives the brain of oxygen.
This leads to passing out and possible brain damage or death.
Overdose can be reversed with a medicine called Narcan (naloxone).
Other Possible Drug Interactions
People on opioids should not drink alcohol.
This can cause serious life-threatening side effects.
Herbal supplements like Saint-John’s-wort andtryptophancan also cause adverse interactions.
This can lead to opioid use disorder oroverdose.
Opioid overdoses killed more than 100,000 Americans in 2021.
Formulations with acetaminophen can alsocause dangerous toxicitythat can permanently damage the liver if you take more than directed.
Summary
Hydrocodone and tramadol are two opioid (narcotic) pain relievers.
They both work by changing how the body responds to pain.
They come in fast-acting and extended-release formulas and are often sold combined with acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Tramadol is often given after surgery if youve suffered significant trauma.
The extended-release capsule may be helpful for some chronic conditions like osteoarthritis.
Hydrocodone is used if weaker drugs like tramadol do not work.
They have similar side effects and can cause reduced breathing and deadly overdose.
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifiestramadol as a Schedule IV controlled substance.
It’s considered to have a lower risk of misuse than hydrocodone.
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2017;6(6):CD003726.
Food and Drug Administration.Ultram (tramadol hydrochloride) tablets: full prescribing information.
Elsevier Health Sciences; 2016.
Food and Drug Administration.Hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen tablets.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing opioid use disorder.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Polysubstance use facts.
2017;10:1225-1239. doi:10.2147/JPR.S138698
National Institute on Drug Abuse.Overdose death rates.
