Tramadol vs Trazodone: Detailed Comparison for Pain and Anxiety

Tramadol and Trazodone are types of drugs that can be used by both humans and dogs. They work extremely well for both species, which is also the reason why they are extremely popular. However, in certain cases, they can appear similar, mostly due to their physical appearances, which can create confusion and is also quite dangerous. Therefore, it’s essential to be aware of the differences between these two drugs so that you can make an informed choice. To help you in this, we will be discussing Tramadol vs Trazodone so that you can get a brief idea about how they differ and avoid making any mistakes.

Differentiate Tramadol vs Trazodone: Doses, Potency, & Alternatives

Tramadol

Tramadol belongs to the group of Opioids and is sold under the brand name Tramal. The primary use of this drug is to help individuals suffering from pain of any range. It is typically taken orally, either with or without food and water. The working mechanism of this drug is similar to that of other opioids, i.e., altering the pain signals. You should use this drug with utmost care because this is highly vulnerable to causing dependency and addiction.

Certain underlying health conditions make individuals unfit for the drug. Those conditions are:

• Asthma
• Seizure
• Brain tumor
• Depression

Trazodone

The drug Trazodone is primarily for helping individuals with any depressive disorders. Trazodone helps in regulating the mood by affecting the serotonin level, which in turn helps to get relief from anxiety symptoms. Various other off-label uses of Trazodone include insomnia, anxiety disorders, and PTSD. Do not crush or chew the tablets of Trazodone; rather, swallow them whole. You should take this drug after food and with water. Tramadol is known to increase dependency in individuals if used for a long period of time, so you must use this drug carefully.

You shouldn’t use Trazodone under certain health conditions, like:

• Heart problems
• Low blood pressure
• Anemia
• Leukemia
• Bipolar disorder
• Epilepsy

Street Names

Street names are the altered names used by the sellers and buyers for buying and selling controlled substances. They modify the names of the drugs to avoid getting caught in the act of doing illegal activities. Tramadol and Trazodone also have street names of their own. Let’s discuss those names.

Tramadol Street Names

• Chill Pills
• Trammies
• Ultras

Trazodone Street Names

• This drug goes by the street name ‘sleepeasy’ and is mixed with other substances like alcohol to enhance its effect.

What’s The Difference Between Tramadol and Trazodone

The drugs Tramadol and Trazodone are similar to each other in terms of appearance, which often creates confusion. But are Tramadol and Trazodone the same thing? No, they aren’t the same thing because we can’t consider two drugs to be similar to each other just because they look alike. A drug consists of several properties that make it functional. Other properties of Tramadol and Trazodone aren’t equal, which makes them apart from each other.

Let’s discuss the properties that make them different.

Tramadol vs Trazodone For Dogs

Both Tramadol and Trazodone are ideal for treating any mental health issues of dogs. Both of these are helpful in their own way for the treatment. Tramadol can help them ease any range of pain they face, especially the severe pain after surgery. The dogs, especially those who are pets, get anxious during a vet visit or if they are away from their owner. In such cases, Trazodone comes in handy and helps them to get over anxiety issues.

Doses of Tramadol vs Trazodone

The initial dose must always be less because dogs won’t be able to handle higher doses. If the condition does not improve much, then the doses will be increased accordingly.

Tramadol Doses

• The dose is usually given depending on their body mass.

Dog Weight	Low Dose	High Dose
4 lb	1.8 mg	7.2 mg
6 lb	2.7mg	10.8mg
10 lb	4.5 mg	18 mg
15 lb	6.75 mg	27 mg
25 lb	11.25 mg	45 mg
40 lb	18 mg	72 mg

• For humans, the dose is 50 to 100 mg orally every four to six hours.

Trazodone Doses

Dog weight	Initial	Target
< 22 lb	25mg every 8 to 24 hours	50mg every 8 to 24 hours
22-44lb	50mg every 12 to 24 hours	100mg every 8 to 24 hours
Over 44lb	100mg every 12 to 24 hours	200mg every 8 to 24 hours

• The dose for humans is 150 mg per day.

Now, let’s look into several other differences briefly in the form of a table.

Factors	Tramadol	Trazodone
Schedule category	Schedule IV	Schedule V
Available Formulations	Capsule, tablet, liquid	Tablet
Drug class	Opioid analgesics	SARIs
Onset	30-60 minutes	30-60 minutes
Half-life	5-6 hours	3-9 hours
Addiction risks	More addictive	Less than Tramadol
Cost	Cheaper than Trazodone	Costly

Which Is Better Tramadol or Trazodone?

It is quite difficult to compare the efficiency of both drugs because each of them is equally effective. As we have discussed above, each drug has its own use and heals various issues in the dogs. Where Tramadol is effective against pain, at the same time, Trazodone provides relief from anxiety. Hence, it can be said that Tramadol and Trazodone are both equally useful depending upon the situation the dog is in.

Can You Take Tramadol And Trazodone Together?

Taking Tramadol and Trazodone together is strictly prohibited for both dogs as well as humans. This is because Tramadol and Trazodone interact can enhance the side effects of each of the drugs, resulting in enhanced sedation. This can be quite dangerous for humans and especially for the dogs because their bodies won’t be able to handle it. Altering the drug can also be quite dangerous, so you have to be extremely careful if you or your pets are on Tramadol or Trazodone.

Side Effects

There are various side effects that your dog will feel if they are under Tramadol or Trazodone. Some of them are quite mild and are not a matter of concern, but if you find those effects getting enhanced, then you must consult the vet. Let’s look into some of the side effects that your pet might suffer.

Side effects are:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Drooling
• Aggression
• Mydriasis

In addition to all these common side effects, the dogs might also face certain severe effects, like Tachycardia, seizures, Colitis, and Arrhythmias. Make sure that you do not accidentally overdose them on their prescribed drug because it can enhance even the common side effects.

Alternatives To Tramadol and Trazodone

There are other alternative options available if you or your pet are not able to take Tramadol or Trazodone for a certain reason. Those alternatives might work better for the condition. Let’s see them.

Alternatives to Tramadol and Trazodone for dogs

• Gabapentin is the best alternative if your dog is unable to take both these drugs.
• This helps both in pain and anxiety relief.

Tramadol alternatives for humans

• Belbuca
• Naproxen
• Cymbalta
• Celebrex

Trazodone alternatives

• Mirtazapine
• Doxepin
• Amitriptyline
• Paroxetine
• Bupropion

Conclusion

We hope that you have a clear picture regarding how Tramadol and Trazodone differ from each other, and also how they are useful for both humans as well as dogs. Now, it will be much easier for you to decide which drugs suit best according to the condition. You must always keep the drugs away from your pet to avoid accidental overdosing. At last, consult the healthcare providers as fast as possible in case of any mishappenings.