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Author: Admin | 2025-04-28
Tramadol and hydrocodone are two types of potent pain relievers called opioid analgesics. Both work slightly differently and may cause different side effects.Tramadol is a synthetic opioid. Synthetic opioids are lab-made substances designed to mimic the effects of naturally occurring opiates. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid, meaning it was created in a lab using naturally occurring compounds from opium poppies (Papaver somniferum).The federal government regulates, or controls, opioids. Controlled substances are organized into different categories, called schedules, based on the potential for misuse or dependence.Drug schedules typically take the form of Roman numerals rather than standard numbers, so you’ll often see them referred to as I, II, III, IV, or V rather than 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5.Schedule I drugs have the highest potential for misuse and the potential to create severe physical or psychological dependence. Schedule V drugs have the lowest.The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) classifies tramadol as a Schedule IV drug and hydrocodone as a Schedule II drug. This means tramadol is considered less potent than hydrocodone. However, both drugs still have the potential for misuse or dependence.Hydrocodone and tramadol can be used to treat acute (short-term) pain caused by an injury or surgery. However, doctors usually prescribe them to treat chronic (long-term) pain caused by an underlying condition, like cancer. Both medications attach to receptors in your brain to change your pain perception. Tramadol also allows the chemical messengers norepinephrine and serotonin to remain available to your brain for a longer period. This may help block pain signals in your spinal cord.Doctors usually prescribe opioids as a combination medication containing a simple, non-opioid analgesic. Non-opioid analgesics stop the production of certain chemicals in your brain, which can help relieve pain.Tramadol is usually prescribed with acetaminophen or celecoxib, which is another NSAID.Opioid analgesics that do not contain other active ingredients may only be prescribed when other pain relievers haven’t worked.Generic tramadol is available as an immediate-release (IR) or extended-release (ER) oral tablet. Brand-name versions are also available. ER oral capsules are sold as ConZip, and a liquid solution is sold as Qdolo. The brand Ultram is no longer manufactured.Hydrocodone is only available as a brand-name ER oral tablet called Hysingla ER. The brand Zohydro ER is no longer manufactured.TramadolGeneric IR tablets: 25 milligrams (mg), 50 mg, or 100 mgGeneric ER tablets: 100 mg, 200 mg, or 300 mgConZip ER capsules: 100 mg, 200 mg, or 300 mgQdolo liquid: 5 mg per 1 milliliter (mL)IR medications are typically taken every 4–6 hours as needed for pain, up to a maximum daily limit of 400 mg. Qdolo liquid may also fall into this category, so confirm with your prescribing doctor.ER medications are typically taken once per day as part
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