Medical Advice

Tramadol vs Toradol: Which Is Stronger And Safe For Pain Relief?

Tramadol vs Toradol

A pain of any level can become the biggest dare for an individual to lead a normal life. It produces a constant uneasy feeling that stands in his/her way of daily life, making things hard for them. This is the reason why it’s important to choose an appropriate painkiller to get instant relief. Two of the very effective options from a wide range of pain killers are Tramadol and Toradol, which sometimes are the first line of treatment for severe pain. People often get confused between these two and wonder is Toradol the same as Tramadol? In this blog, we will discuss Tramadol vs Toradol for pain to help gain a better understanding of choosing the perfect one.

Tramadol vs Toradol: Key Difference Between Formulation, Doses, & Strength

Overview of Tramadol and Toradol

People use Tramadol as a pain reliever to get relief from any level of pain. This single drug is sold in the market under various brand names such as Ultram and Conzip. Tramadol’s formulation is mostly used orally and starts to provide relief within an hour of intake. This drug helps the body get relief by reacting on the CNS, which in turn alters the sensation of pain.

Toradol is the brand name for the drug Ketorolac and is used as a pain reliever. It is an NSAID and is recommended to be used for a short period of time due to its high side effects. Toradol is used to against fever in certain individuals. Toradol blocks Prostaglandins from being released in the body, which is mainly responsible for inflammation, fever, and pain. Certain underlying health conditions, like stomach ulcers, kidney disease, and pregnancy, make individuals unfit for this drug.

What Is The Difference Between Tramadol And Toradol?

Both Tramadol and Toradol have similar uses in relieving pain. So you might be wondering, are Tramadol and Toradol the same? Well, the simplest answer to this question is no, they are quite apart from each other. To understand in more detail the reason behind this, let’s discuss all the responsible factors.

Formulations & Strength Of Tramadol versus Toradol

Tramadol and Toradol vary in their available formulations as well as the strength of those formulations. Let’s see them in detail.

Tramadol Formulations and Strength

  • Immediate-release tablets and capsules: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg
  • Extended-release tablets and capsules: 100 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg
  • Oral solutions: 5 mg/mL
  • Injections: adjusted according to the patient in the hospital

Toradol Formulations and Strength

  • Oral tablet: 10 mg
  • Injectable solution: 15 mg/mL, 30 mg/mL, 60 mg/2mL
  • Nasal spray: 15.75 mg/spray

Doses of Tramadol vs Toradol

Both these drugs have different doses, which are prepared according to the needs of individuals. In the initial phases, these doses are low in amount, which can be increased based on requirements.

Tramadol Doses

  • The average adult dose for chronic pain is 100 mg once a day, and the doses for the children are decided by the doctor based on their weight.
  • For moderate to severe pain, the adults are given 25 mg once a day, and the children’s doses are decided by the doctor.

Toradol Doses

  • For the age group of 17 to 64 years, 20 mg must be taken every 4 to 6 hours as per the need.
  • The adults in the age group 65 and above must take 10 mg every day for every 4 to 6 hours.

Let’s look into some more factors

FactorsTramadolToradol
Schedule classSchedule IVDo not belong to any category
Drug ClassOpioid analgesicsNSAIDS
Onset30 to 60 minutesVaries according to the formulations
Half-life5 to 6 hours5 to 7 hours
Addiction risksHigherLower
CostCheaper than ToradolHigh
Duration of useExtended periodFive days

Tramadol vs Toradol For Kidney Stones

The pain generated in the body due to kidney stones is one of the most intense pains any human will experience, which sometimes people compare to the pain of childbirth. To treat such intense pain, doctors usually prefer Toradol over Tramadol. The reason behind this is their potency difference. Toradol is much more potent than Tramadol, which makes it a perfect option to relieve pain easily, whereas Tramadol, being less potent, won’t be able to provide relief. Toradol can also help reduce the inflammation caused due to the stone.

Which Is Stronger: Toradol or Tramadol?

It is difficult to compare Toradol and Tramadol based on their strength because each has its own function. But from the above, we can see that Toradol is a much stronger element used for relieving severe pain and also has a higher potential for abuse, whereas Tramadol is a weaker opioid used for very mild pain. Toradol is perfect for the patient who has a higher tolerance level for any higher-potency drug. Tramadol, on the other hand, is used for individuals whose bodies are not able to tolerate the drug well.

Can You Take Tramadol And Toradol Together?

No, the doctor would never recommend taking Tramadol and Toradol together. The reason behind this is that the combination of these products can cause severe drug interactions, which can be harmful to our health. The potency of Toradol is already high enough to cause severe addiction, so combining it with another opioid may cause overdosing. The effects seen in the body are:

  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Constipaton
  • Dizziness

Side Effects

An individual taking any drug between Tramadol and Toradol is bound to face various side effects. These side effects mainly arise when the drug starts to show its effect in the body.

The effects of these drugs on our bodies are:

  • Drowsiness
  • Diziness
  • Headache
  • Nausea
  • Indigestion
  • Constipation
  • Dry mouth
  • Itching
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures
  • Allergies

Alternatives

If you feel like your body is not adapting well to any of these drugs, then your priority must be to ask your doctor to change your medication and give you alternatives. These might be equally effective and might have higher chances of giving you better relief. Let’s look into all the alternative options available for both Tramadol and Toradol.

Tramadol Alternatives

  • Ibuprofen
  • Naproxen
  • Duloxetine
  • Gabapentin
  • Tapentadol
  • Buprenorphine
  • Ketamine
  • Rexulti
  • Bupropion

Toradol Alternatives

  • Tramadol
  • Gabapentin
  • Ibuprofen
  • Naproxen
  • Diclofenac
  • Tylenol
  • Bromfenac
  • Loteprednol
  • Difluprednate

Conclusion

Ultimately, we hope to have provided you with a clear understanding of the differences between Tramadol and Toradol. Although both are effective in their own way, it’s best to take advice from your healthcare provider instead of deciding on your own. You have to take the drugs patiently and wait for the results instead of overdosing in the hope of recovering faster.