Carisoprodol vs Tramadol For Pain Relief: How They Work and Which Is Stronger?

There is a wide range of pain-relieving options available, which makes it confusing to select one. Sometimes people might get confused and choose the ones that are not meant for the kind of pain they are facing. So, it makes it important to be aware of the differences so that you won’t make the same mistake. This blog focuses on Carisoprodol vs Tramadol, to make you aware of how the two of the most effective pain relievers are different despite having several common factors.

Carisoprodol And Tramadol: Key Difference Between Working Mechanism, Dosage, & Efficiency

Overview Of Carisoprodol And Tramadol

The drug Carisoprodol is sold in the market under the brand name Soma. This oral medication is a muscle relaxer that provides relief by blocking pain sensation between nerves and the brain. It is used along with other therapies to help the muscles relax after strain, sprain, and injury. Before starting on this drug, you must confirm all the safety aspects to avoid any mistakes. Tell your doctor if you have any problems with the liver and kidneys, or if you have seizures.

Tramadol has been an effective pain reliever for many years by providing comfort from pain ranging from moderate to severe. This drug is given in cases where other medications were not very effective. It is available in the market under the brand name Tramal. Children below 12 years shouldn’t be given Tramadol due to the risk of getting breathing issues. You should use Tramadol with care because continuous and regular use might cause dependency.

Is Carisoprodol and Tramadol The Same?

There are various similarities between Carisoprodol and Tramadol, which might create an illusion of both these drugs being similar. Various factors are similar between the drugs, such as they are prescription medications, harmful to pregnant women, and have various side effects. But apart from all these, there are several other aspects in which these drugs differ from each other. So, we can’t say that Carisoprodol and Tramadol are similar to each other.

What Is The Difference Between Carisoprodol and Tramadol?

As we discussed above, both these drugs aren’t completely similar and are quite different from each other. To understand the reason behind this statement, let’s discuss the factors, such as which is more costly, which has more potential for abuse, and others that contribute towards making Carisprodol and Tramadol apart.

Working Mechanism

Carisoprodol and Tramadol have their own working mechanism by which they provide relief. Carisoprodol works directly with the brain and slows down the nerve transmission, which calms down the brain’s activity, providing relief. Whereas Tramadol, being an Opioid, binds itself to the opioid receptor and stops the reabsorption of neurotransmitters to provide a soothing effect to the body.

Doses of Carisoprodol vs Tramadol

Before beginning any drugs, remember to be very careful with the doses because overdosing can even cost you your life. The doctor advises the doses based on the patient’s condition and their capacity to handle them. Just like other drugs, the initial amount of Carisoprodol and Tramadol is always less, which increases gradually based on the requirements.

Let’s look into the average doses of Carisoprodol and Tramadol

Carisoprodol Doses

• Initially, it is advised to take 250 to 350 mg orally three times a day.
• You should only take Carisoprodol for two to three weeks because if the duration is increased more than this, then it would cause other serious health issues.

Tramadol Doses

• Every formulation of Tramadol, i.e., capsules, tablets, and drops, must be taken 3 to 4 times a day or as said by the doctor.
• This drug must only be used for a short period of time and is not suitable for longer intervals.

Let’s look into some more factors

Factors	Carisoprodol	Tramadol
Brand name	Soma	Ultram, Qdolo, Conzip
Type	Muscle relaxant	Opioid analgesic
Available Formulations	Oral tablets	Tablets, Liquids, and Solutions
Onset	30 minutes	1 hour
Half-life	2 to 2.5 hours	5 to 6 hours
Potential for abuse	Higher	Moderate to high
Cost	Expensive	Cheaper

Which Is Better, Carisoprodol or Tramadol?

We cannot compare Carisoprodol and Tramadol based on their effectiveness because both are equally effective drugs. Each of them has its own mechanism of action, which helps provide relief. Carisoprodol, being a muscle relaxant, is helpful specifically when you are suffering from any sprain or any issue in muscle. Tramadol, being an Opioid, provides relief from any type of pain ranging from moderate to severe. So we can’t decide between the effectiveness of these drugs in general because they are used for different cases, but have the same purpose.

Drug Interactions of Carisoprodol vs Tramadol

Certain drugs shouldn’t be mixed to avoid the risk of harming the body. These reactions are called drug interactions. Carisoprodol and Tramadol also cause interaction when they are taken along with certain drugs. Let’s look into those.

Carisoprodol Interactions	Tramadol Interactions
Ambien	Adderall
Benadryl	Ambien
Cymbalta	Benadryl
Flexeril	Cymbalta
Lexapro	Lexapro
Lyrica	Lyrica
Norco	Norco
Oxycodone	Xanax
Xanax	Zoloft

Side Effects of Carisoprodol vs Tramadol

There are various side effects seen in individuals taking either Carisoprodol or Tramadol. These are due to the reaction with certain organs of the body. The side effects can also be a sign that the drug has started to work in the body. Let’s see the effects of Carisoprodol on the body.

Carisoprodol effects

• Headache
• Diziness
• Seizures
• Swelling
• Hallucinations
• Depression
• Hypotension
• Addiction
• Dependency

Tramadol effects

• Dry mouth
• Sweating
• Itching
• Headache
• Allergy
• Seizures
• Constipation
• Vomiting
• Nausea

Can You Take Carisoprodol and Tramadol Together?

A doctor would never suggest doing any risky activities like taking Carisoprodol and Tramadol together. The mixture of both these can cause severe drug interaction, which is very harmful to the body. There is a risk of getting various health issues, like:

• Extreme sedation
• Respiratory issues
• Enhancing side effects
• Seizure
• Serotonin syndrome
• Severe addiction

Conclusion

At the end, we can conclude that both Carisoprodol and Tramadol are quite effective in their own way. Choosing between the drugs depends on the individual’s type of pain. Both these drugs carry certain side effects along with them, so you must use them wisely. If you miss a dose, then do not overdose; instead, wait for the time of the second dose. We hope that the next time you choose between Carisoprodol or Tramadol, you are well aware of which one is best suitable for your condition.