Tramadol vs. Vicodin

Tramadol (Ultram) and Vicodin (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) are both prescription opioids and narcotics for pain, though tramadol is weaker. Vicodin is used for people with severe pain that don't experience pain relief from weaker opioids like tramadol or codeine. Vicodin is combined with acetaminophen, which is an analgesic and antipyretic and the active ingredient in Tylenol. Vicodin is derived from the poppy plant like other narcotics, including morphine, oxycodone, heroin, and opium. The hydrocodone in Vicodin is also partially synthetic. Tramadol is completely synthetic.

Though Vicodin is more potent than tramadol, in their usual doses, both these drugs are less potent that other opiates like morphine or fentanyl. This means their potential for addiction and withdrawal are lower. That doesn't mean they're totally safe, however. Both can be physically and psychologically habit-forming.

Side effects for both drugs - aside from potential addiction and withdrawal - may include dizziness, confusion, sedation, constipation and others.

Tramadol is a pure, single-component pain medication. Vicodin is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen, an adjunctive pain and fever reducer.

Neither tramadol nor Vicodin should be taken with alcohol or other sedatives or tranquilizers because they may potentially magnify the effects. Particularly dangerous is the potential for respiratory depression, which can make you stop breathing if you take too much of either Vicodin or tramadol, or mix either of them with the wrong medication.

Tramadol and Vicodin are both opiates, and Vicodin includes the pain reliever and fever reducer acetaminophen. The hydrocodone in Vicodin is made from the poppy plant, just like morphine, heroin, and opium. Tramadol is chemically similar to Vicodin, but it's synthesized from precursor molecules in a lab. Many doctors like it because it has a lower potential for addiction than other opioids, though that doesn't mean it's non-addictive.

Opiates work because the central nervous system has three main opioid receptors in the nerve cells that, when coupled with natural opioids your body makes, govern pain sensation, reward, aspects of gastrointestinal function, and aspects of respiratory function, and aspects of urogenital function. These receptors are named after Greek letters: Mu receptors, Delta receptors, and Kappa receptors. They sit on the membrane of nerve cells and activate when an opioid, whether naturally occurring in the body or introduced in the form of a drug, fits into the molecule like a key in a lock.

Opiate drugs mimic the natural opioids produced by the body. Their molecules fit into the same receptors and activate them. Vicodin, tramadol, morphine, and all other poppy derivatives target and activate mostly the Mu receptors, meaning they are "Mu receptor agonists."

These receptors and the naturally occurring (endogenous) opioids they pair with are responsible for the body's own efforts to deaden pain. Because of this, flooding the Mu receptors with pharmaceutical opioids like Vicodin, tramadol, and others can increase the painkilling (analgesic) properties of that part of the central nervous system.

Unfortunately, because the endogenous opioid system also governs reward pathways, pharmaceutical opioids are highly addictive. Endorphins are the main endogenous opioids your nervous system secretes in response to sex, a delicious meal, and other forms of pleasure. Because opiate drugs activate the same Mu receptors endorphins do, euphoria and a profound sense of wellbeing are potential side effects of all the opiate drugs on the market. Patients can become addicted physically and mentally as both their bodies and minds begin to crave that state of bliss.

Tramadol and Vicodin are much less potent in their usual doses than other opiates like morphine, heroin, and its synthetic counterpart Fentanyl. Because of this, short-term use of tramadol for moderate pain symptoms comes with a relatively low risk of addiction or withdrawal. Vicodin has a higher risk for addiction.

Acetaminophen works by elevating the threshold to pain, that is, in order for pain to be felt, greater stimulation of the nerves responsible for the sensation of pain is necessary. It reduces fever through its action on the temperature-regulating center of the brain. Frequently, hydrocodone and acetaminophen are combined to achieve pain relief, as in Vicodin and Lortab.

Tramadol is used in the management of moderate to moderately severe pain. Extended release tablets are used for moderate to moderately severe chronic pain in adults who require continuous treatment for an extended period.

Vicodin is used for the relief of mild to moderately severe pain and for suppressing cough.

The most frequent side effects of Vicodin and tramadol include:

• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• shortness of breath,
• sedation,
• allergic reactions,
• constipation,
• abdominal pain,
• rash,
• itching, and
• addiction
.

Serious side effects of tramadol include seizures. It may cause serotonin syndrome when combined with other drugs that also increase serotonin (see drug interactions section).

Vicodin can impair thinking and the physical abilities required for driving or operating machinery.

Vicodin can depress breathing, and should be used with caution in elderly, debilitated patients, and in patients with serious lung disease.

This is not a full list of side effects for either tramadol or Vicodin. Make sure you ask your doctor about the potential side effects of these drugs if you are prescribed them.

For more information, please visit the MedicineNet drug monographs for these medications:

• Tramadol
• Vicodin

Vicodin and tramadol are habit forming. Mental and physical dependence can occur but are unlikely when used for short-term pain relief especially with tramadol. Vicodin, however, is much more potent and therefore more highly addictive. If tramadol or Vicodin is suddenly withdrawn after prolonged use, symptoms of withdrawal may develop.

The psychological or physical dependence tramadol and Vicodin can cause is similar to other narcotics. Tramadol is a schedule IV medication on the federal list of controlled substances as outlined by the U.S. Controlled Substance Act. Vicodin has a more serious Schedule II classification because of its higher potential for abuse.

Abrupt withdrawal from tramadol and Vicodin may result in

• anxiety,
• sweating,
• insomnia,
• rigors,
• pain,
• nausea,
• diarrhea,
• tremors, and
• hallucinations.

Withdrawal symptoms are similar to other opiates. Prescribing doctors should gradually reduce doses of Vicodin and tramadol in order to avoid these symptoms.

Tramadol

• The recommended dose of tramadol is 50-100 mg (immediate release tablets) every 4-6 hours as needed for pain.
• The maximum dose is 400 mg/day.
• To improve tolerance patients should be started at 25 mg/day, and doses may be increased by 25-50 mg every 3 days to reach 50-100 mg/day every 4 to 6 hours.
• Tramadol may be taken with or without food.
• The recommended dose for extended release tablets is 100 mg daily which may be increased by 100 mg every 5 days but not to exceed 300 mg /day. To convert from immediate release to extended release, the total daily dose should be rounded down to the nearest 100 mg. Extended release tablets should be swallowed whole and not crushed or chewed.

Vicodin

• The usual dose for adults is 1 to 2 tablets or capsules (hydrocodone 2.5 to 10 mg; acetaminophen 300 to 750 mg) every 4 to 6 hours or
• 15 mL of liquid every 4 to 6 hours as needed.

Both tramadol and Vicodin may increase central nervous system and respiratory depression when combined with alcohol. Alcohol and anesthetics, narcotics, tranquilizers (like alprazolam [Xanax]), or sedative hypnotics can produce further brain impairment and even confusion when combined with tramadol or Vicodin. Therefore, alcohol and other sedatives should not be used when taking tramadol or Vicodin.

 Carbamazepine (Tegretol, Tegretol XR , Equetro, Carbatrol) reduces the effect of tramadol by increasing its inactivation in the body.

Quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex) reduces the inactivation of tramadol, thereby increasing the concentration of tramadol by 50% to 60%.

Combining tramadol with monoamine oxidase inhibitors or MAOIs (for example, tranylcypromine [Parnate]) or selective serotonin inhibitors (SSRIs), for example, fluoxetine (Prozac), may result in severe side effects such as seizures or a condition called serotonin syndrome.

Vicodin, also, should not be taken with any of the monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) class of antidepressants, for example, isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), selegiline (Eldepryl), and procarbazine (Matulane) or other drugs that inhibit monoamine oxidase, for example, linezolid (Zyvox). Such combinations may lead to confusion, high blood pressure, tremor, hyperactivity, coma, and death. Vicodin should not be administered within 14 days of stopping an MAOI.

This is not a complete list of drug interactions for tramadol and Vicodin. If a doctor prescribes you either of these narcotics, make sure you provide a full list of other medications you're taking to avoid dangerous interactions.

No one has systematically studied the safety of tramadol or Vicodin during pregnancy, but pregnant mothers should avoid using any opiate because of the risk of dependence in the developing fetus. Small amounts of both tramadol and Vicodin are secreted in breast milk, but the dose is typically too tiny to cause problems with the baby. Still, if you are prescribed either of these medications while breastfeeding, you and your doctor should carefully evaluate the risks before you make a decision on whether to take it.