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What Are the Differences Between Tramadol and Oxycodone?
The main difference between tramadol and oxycodone is the potency.
Oxycodone has a higher risk for addiction and abuse.
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These medications work differently, too, which accounts for their differences in potency.
Oxycodone is an active compound that directly causes pain relief, while tramadol acts as a prodrug.
What Is Tramadol Used For?
Tramadol is a centrally acting pain reliever used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain in adults.
What Is Oxycodone Used For?
Oxycodone is indicated for moderate to severe pain management for either short-acting pain or when a continuousanalgesicis needed.
Oxycodone is taken orally (by mouth).
The oral dosage form of oxycodone is available as tablets, capsules, and a solution.
Oral oxycodone is available in immediate (IR), extended (ER), and controlled-release formulations.
The tablets are available in different strengths, ranging from 5 mg to 80 mg per tablet.
However, people with continuous pain may still use oxycodone for pain control.
Is Tramadol or Oxycodone More Effective for Pain?
Tramadol and oxycodone are strong pain medications that work in different ways to reduce pain.
Oxycodone, on the other hand, is a much stronger medication that provides fast and powerful pain relief.
Your healthcare provider will decide which medication to prescribe based on the punch in and severity of the pain.
Naloxone can also increase the risk of seizures when administered for a tramadol overdose.
Convulsion risk can also increase in people with:
Suicide Risk
Tramadol can increase the risk of suicide.
It should not be prescribed to people with an increased risk of suicide or addiction.
Respiratory Depression
Taking tramadol can lead to respiratory depression, especially when starting treatment or after increasing the dose.
The FDA classifies oxycodone as a higher risk for misuse than tramadol.
However, both medications have the potential to cause dependence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oxycodone is considered stronger than tramadol due to its higher potency.
There is also little evidence that oxycodone is safe during pregnancy.
Drinking alcohol while taking tramadol or oxycodone can cause serious interactions, including respiratory depression and CNS depression.
Both tramadol and oxycodone are strong pain medications and need a prescription from a healthcare provider.
Since oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance, it has a higher possibility of addiction and abuse.
Tramadol has a lower risk, though it is still misused and abused.
DailyMed.Label: Tramadol hydrochloride tablet, coated.
DailyMed.Label: Oxycodone hydrochloride tablet.
1999;16(12):834-839. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2346.1999.00597.x
Food and Drug Administration.Tramadol extended-release label.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Opioids Basics - Commonly Used Terms.
