Although both tramadol and oxycodone are opioids, the drugs differ in many key ways, including their potency and addiction potential.
Article at a Glance:
- Tramadol and oxycodone are the generic names of opioids used to treat pain.
- Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance, while tramadol is Schedule IV.
- Oxycodone is stronger at relieving pain but also more likely than tramadol to lead to addiction and dependence.
- Tramadol has mood-boosting properties but a lower risk of respiratory depression than oxycodone. Tramadol also carries the risk of seizure.
Tramadol and oxycodone have several similarities, along with a few differences. While both drugs are opioids that are often prescribed for pain, they differ inpotency, dosing and risk for abuse, dependence and addiction.
What Are the Main Differences Between Tramadol and Oxycodone?
Although tramadol and oxycodone are both opioids, they differ in terms of chemical structure. This translates into differences in potency and addiction potential. One of the big differences in tramadol vs. oxycodone is that oxycodone is around1.5 times more potent than morphine, while tramadol isonly 10% as strong as morphine.
| Drug Name | Tramadol | Oxycodone |
|---|---|---|
| Drug Type | Opioid | Opioid |
| Drug Schedule | Schedule IV controlled substance | Schedule II controlled substance |
| Prescription Required | Yes | Yes |
| Risk of Dependence / Addiction | Yes | Yes |
| Overdose Risk | Yes | Yes |
| Withdrawal Symptoms | Yes | Yes |
| Length of Withdrawal | Up to10 days for short-acting formulations, up to 20 days for long-acting formulations | Up to10 days for short-acting formulations, up to 20 days for long-acting formulations |
| Brand Names | ConZip, Ultram, Qdolo | OxyContin, Xtampza ER, Oxaydo, RoxicodoneCombined with acetaminophen: Endocet, Nalocet, Percocet, Prolate |
| Dosage | Starting dose of 50 mg every 4–6 hours as needed, up to a max dose of 400 mg a day | Starting dose of 5 mg every 4–6 hours as needed |
| Uses | Mild to moderate pain | Moderate to severe pain |
| Comes in a short- or long-acting dosage form | Available in both forms | Available in both forms |
| Comes as a combination agent with other drugs | Yes, with acetaminophen | Yes, with either acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin or naloxone |
What Is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a prescription pain reliever that isslightly weakerthan most other opioids. When someone takes tramadol, it binds to their opioid receptors and influences their central nervous system. The interaction of tramadol and other opioids with the central nervous system lowers how people perceive pain.
While tramadol isn’t necessarily as potent as some other opioids, it still works well as a pain reliever, even for severe pain. An extended-release version of the drug is available for severe pain requiring around-the-clock treatment and chronic pain.
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| Drug properties | Opioid (atypical) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | ConZip, Ultram, Qdolo |
| Type of pain it can treat | Mild to moderate |
| Short-acting or long-acting | Comes in both short and long-acting dosage forms |
| Drug Schedule | IV |
| Side effects | Constipation (up to 46%) Nausea (up to 40%) Dizziness (up to 33%) Headache (up to 32%) Drowsiness (up to 25%) Vomiting (up to 17%) Dry mouth (up to 13%) Indigestion (up to 13%) |
| How long it takes to start working | Within one hour |
| How long it takes to have its peak effect | Short-acting:within two hours Long-acting:within 12 hours |
| Duration of effect | Short-acting: 4–6 hours Long-acting: 24 hours |
| Dosage | Short-acting: 50, 100 mg Long-acting: 100, 200, 300 mg |
One of the rare but riskiest side effects of tramadol isseizures. Seizures have been reported even with minimal prescribed doses. People with a history of epilepsy or seizures should avoid tramadol.
Some of the side effects both tramadol and oxycodone have in common include headache, sweating, constipation, dizziness and dry mouth. These side effects are common among opioids in general.
What Is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a strong, semi-synthetic opioid that is closely regulated by the DEA because of the risk of addiction and abuse. Much like tramadol, oxycodone works on the user’s central nervous system, altering how they perceive pain. Unlike tramadol, oxycodone doesn’t inhibit norepinephrine and serotonin reuptake.
| Drug properties | Opioid (phenanthrene) |
|---|---|
| Brand names | OxyContin, Xtampza ER, Oxaydo, RoxicodoneCombined with acetaminophen: Endocet, Nalocet, Percocet, Prolate |
| Type of pain it can treat | Moderate to severe |
| Short-acting or long-acting | Comes in both short and long-acting dosage forms |
| Drug Schedule | II |
| Side effects | Drowsiness (up to 23%) Nausea (up to 23%) Constipation (up to 23%) Vomiting (up to 21%) Headache (up to 14%) Dizziness (up to 13%) Itching (up to 13%) |
| How long it takes to start working | Short-acting: within 15 minutes Long-acting: unclear |
| How long it takes to have its peak effect | Short-acting: within two hours Long-acting: within five hours |
| Duration of effect | Short-acting; 4–6 hours Long-acting: 12 hours |
| Tablet strength | Short-acting: 5, 7.5, 10, 15, 20, 30 mg Long-acting: 9, 10, 13.5, 15, 18, 20, 27, 30, 36, 40, 60, 80 mg |
Oxycodone functions as a pure opioid agonist, and it has a more rapid onset time than tramadol. For example, short-acting oxycodone will usually start working within 15 minutes, with peak effects occurring in around 2 hours. Meanwhile, tramadol may take up to an hour to feel the effects.
These numbers are important because they highlight some of the reasons for a lower risk of abuse with tramadol vs. oxycodone. Usually, the more fast-acting an opioid is, the more likely it is to be abused. Of course, tramadol can be abused and can become addictive, but the risk is lower. In general, oxycodone has a high risk of physical and psychological dependence, while tramadol has a lower risk. That’s one reason why oxycodone is regulated as Schedule II, and tramadol is Schedule IV.
To further compare tramadol vs. oxycodone:
- Regarding effectiveness as a painkiller, oxycodone ismore potent, and oxycodone has a more rapid onset of pain-relieving effects.
- Tramadol does have a higher risk of seizures than oxycodone, particularly in people who already have a history of seizures.
- Oxycodone has a higher potential for abuse and addiction than tramadol.
To sum up the comparison of tramadol vs. oxycodone: oxycodone is stronger at relieving pain but also more likely to lead to addiction and dependence. Tramadol has mood-boosting properties but a lower risk of respiratory depression. Tramadol also carries the risk of seizure.
Pill Identifier: What Does Tramadol Look Like? What Does Oxycodone Look Like?
Becausetramadolandoxycodoneare available as generic drugs, they are each produced by dozens of different manufacturers. Each manufacturer will give the drug its own pill size, shape, color and imprint. The best way to identify whether or not a pill in your possession is tramadol or oxycodone is to go to an online pill identifier, like theDrugs.com Pill Identifier Wizard, and enter the description.
Is Tramadol or Oxycodone More Effective?
Both tramadol and oxycodone are effective drugs for treating pain. However, because oxycodone is so muchmore potent than tramadol, it is more effective for more severe pain. Tramadol is generally used for less severe pain than oxycodone for this reason.
Common Side Effects of Tramadol and Oxycodone
Because they are both opioids, tramadol and oxycodone have similar side effects. Like most opioids, the most common side effects tend to be gastrointestinal in nature.
| Common tramadol side effects | Common oxycodone side effects |
|---|---|
| Drowsiness (up to 25%) Nausea (up to 40%) Constipation (up to 46%) Vomiting (up to 17%) Headache (up to 32%) Dizziness (up to 33%) Dry mouth (up to 13%) Indigestion (up to 13%) | Drowsiness (up to 23%) Nausea (up to 23%) Constipation (up to 23%) Vomiting (up to 21%) Headache (up to 14%) Dizziness (up to 13%) Itching (up to 13%) |
Drug Usage & Risks
Because tramadol and oxycodone are both controlled substances, they both carry a risk of dependence, abuse and addiction. For this reason, both drugs should only be taken exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You should not take a higher dose than prescribed or take the drugs more often than prescribed.
Both drugs also carry a risk of a fatal overdose. This is especially true when they are combined with other central nervous system depressants like benzodiazepines oralcohol. Both drugs carry anFDA Black Box Warningfor overdose risk for this reason.
RELATED: Pain Medicine Comparison – Percocet vs. Oxycodone, Norco, Tramadol and Name Brands
FAQs
Can I use tramadol or oxycodone with alcohol?
You should avoid taking tramadol or oxycodone with alcohol. Both tramadol and oxycodone carry anFDA Black Box Warningabout taking them with other central nervous system depressants, including alcohol. It increases your risk of a potentially fatal overdose.
Can I use tramadol or oxycodone while pregnant?
You should only use tramadol or oxycodone while pregnant if specifically told to do so by your doctor. Both drugs have anFDA Black Box Warningfor causing neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome in infants whose mothers took the drugs prior to delivery.
Is tramadol stronger than oxycodone?
No, oxycodone ismuch more potentthan tramadol.
Can you take oxycodone with tramadol?
Because oxycodone is so muchmore potentthan tramadol, doctors do not usually prescribe them together. Because tramadol is so weak, it would usually not confer an added benefit when used alongside a stronger drug like oxycodone.
Can you alternate tramadol and oxycodone?
Because tramadol and oxycodone are not usually prescribed together due to thedifferences in their potencies, you should not alternate them unless specifically told to do so by your doctor.
Can you take tramadol with Percocet?
Percocet is a combination drug that includes oxycodone and acetaminophen. Because oxycodone is a muchmore potent drugthan tramadol, you should not take them together unless instructed to do so by your doctor.
