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Hydrocodone vs. Tramadol

What are Hydrocodone and Tramadol?

Hydrocodone and tramadol are two extremely effective pain-reducing opioid medications available globally. They both are opioid analgesics and treat moderate to severe pain from cancer and other chronic conditions. Both of these drugs work by altering the way our brain responds to pain signals. As both of them are potent and exceptionally effective, they come along with some side effects.

Hydrocodone

Hydrocodone, sold under the brand name of Zohydro ER, among others, is generally used when other medications do not show many positive effects in reducing pain and providing the patient with relief. This opioid pain reliever also works as a cough suppressant in adults. This medicine, combined with acetaminophen and ibuprofen, is typically available in the market for pain reduction.

People in the United States are the biggest consumers of this opioid drug, as about 99% of the supply gets consumed here. It comes from opium poppy after converting it into codeine. It works by interfering with the pain signals headed towards the brain and changes how the brain perceives and reacts to it. Hydrocodone is a habit-forming drug, which essentially means that you need to have it in moderation and not overuse it.

Tramadol

Tramadol, sold under Ultram’s brand name, among others, is a narcotic-like pain reliever used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. Apart from its generic version, you may find tramadol combined with acetaminophen in the global market for reducing pain caused by illnesses like fibromyalgia and cancers. Tramadol is a controlled substance, which means you cannot buy it without a doctor’s prescription.

It is available as a generic medicine here in the United States and is one of the most prescribed prescription medications. Tramadol works by attaching to the brain’s receptors, and after that, changing the way the brain reads pain signals. Tramadol also allows the two chemical messengers, namely norepinephrine and serotonin, to remain available for an extended period, blocking the pain signals from reaching the brain.

Working of Hydrocodoneand Tramadol

As both hydrocodone and tramadol come from the opioid analgesics family, they work similarly to other family members. These work quite a lot like endorphins, a substance found in the human brain. Endorphins bind themselves with the brain’s receptors, resulting in the receptors decreasing the pain signals’ intensity reaching the brain via nerves. These prescription drugs do their job in the same way by lowering the pain signals and limiting the mind to become fully aware of the body’s pain.

As hydrocodone and tramadol interact with the central nervous system directly, one should not take them without prescription and extreme supervision. Buying these medications without consulting a doctor is certainly not the safest route as some side effects are too associated with the drug. One should not take lightly at any point in time, especially when the patient is already dealing with other illnesses.

Side Effects Of Hydrocodone and Tramadol

Both hydrocodone and tramadol are opioids that are credible and trustworthy when talking about pain reduction. The working of both of these drugs occurs in the brain and central nervous system, making their usage critical. They have some side effects too associated with them, which you must consider before purchasing these prescription drugs. You need to get in touch with your doctor if you develop severe hydrocodone or tramadol side effects. Although most people encounter mild side effects, we can still not ignore the fact that both are potent medicines.

Hydrocodone

The side effects of hydrocodone are:

·         Dizziness

·         Drowsiness

·         Loss of Appetite

·         Constipation

·         Nausea

·         Vomiting

·         Low blood pressure

·         Confusion

·         Respiratory Depression

·         Gastric Obstruction

·         Mood Swings

·         Hypersensitivity Reactions

·         Skin Rash

·         Trouble Breathing

Tramadol

Some tramadol side effects are:

·         Flushing

·         Congestion

·         Headache

·         Itching

·         Weakness

·         Sore throat

·         Seizures

·         Drowsiness

·         Dizziness

·         Vomiting

·         Nausea

·         Constipation

·         Lack of appetite

·         Hypersensitivity

·         Mood Swings

Risk factors

Some people might be at a higher risk of side effects from hydrocodone and tramadol due to their age or a medical condition. People with the following medical problems can experience increased side effects of these drugs:

·         Kidney disease

·         Live disease

·         Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

·         Chronic health issues

·         Mental health problems

Also, people with depression who consume tramadol are at a higher risk of suicide.

Interactions

Inform your doctor about all the prescription, over-the-counter, non-prescription drugs, herbal supplements, or vitamins you are using before starting the treatment with either hydrocodone or tramadol. In addition to the medications, substances like alcohol and marijuana can also interact with these drugs and cause undesirable effects.

Avoid using these medicines with sleep-inducing medications, including cough and cold drugs, as these increase the sedating effects of hydrocodone and tramadol.

If you are not sure about any medicine’s effects, try consulting a doctor or pharmacist before mixing it with either hydrocodone or tramadol.

Warnings

Hydrocodone contains a black box warning for potential misuse. DEA states that hydrocodone is the most abused drug among all the opioids.

While hydrocodone is the more dangerous one of the two, you can quickly develop tolerance from either of them if you use them for an extended time. When you build a medicinetolerance, you will need more of the drug to achieve the desired results. When a person starts taking more and more of these medications, they can develop a dependence on them.

Those with a history of alcohol or substance abuse are more prone to become dependent on hydrocodone and tramadol. Any unwanted effects occurring due to delay in taking medicine can be a sign of dependence; make sure to let the doctor know right away if something similar happens to you.

When you use these medicines for a prolonged period, try not to stop consuming them abruptly. Doing so will result in undesirable withdrawal symptoms. Tell your doctor when you are ready to terminate the treatment. A professional will lower your dosage gradually to prevent withdrawal symptoms.

Which one to take?

Before choosing either hydrocodone or tramadol, try discussing all the underlying medical conditions you have and the drug you are consuming with a doctor. Also, inform them if you ever had an alcohol or substance abuse problem.

After considering all the factors related to your mental and physical health, a doctor can recommend the best medication among the hydrocodone and tramadol.