Tramadol vs Tylenol For Mild vs Severe Pain: Which Works Better?
Tramadol and Tylenol are two effective drugs used to gain relief from pain. Individuals who take either of these have always shared positive feedback about improvement in their condition. Tramadol and Tylenol might appear similar due to their use, but they really aren’t and are quite apart in reality. It is important to know how they differ so that we can choose among them according to the level of pain. If you also get confused between these two, then this blog is perfect for you. You can get information about Tramadol vs Tylenol from this blog and choose wisely if required for your pain.
Differentiate Tramadol and Tylenol: Doses, Onset, & Potency
Tramadol
The drug Tramadol is a widely used opioid that provides pain relief. It is sold under the brand name Tramal and is mostly taken orally. It belongs to the category of Schedule IV drugs, which represents its vulnerability to addiction and dependency. Similar to the other Opioids, its working mechanism involves binding to the opioid receptor and altering the pain signals that the brain sends. Due to its potency, not everybody is eligible to take Tramadol. Factors responsible for these are:
- Liver disease
- Kidney problems
- Seizures
- Mental health issues
- Brain tumor
- Epilepsy
Tylenol
The drug Tylenol is primarily used to treat pain and fever. The major ingredient of the drug is Acetaminophen, which is very useful for providing relief from pain at a very fast rate. Tylenol is mainly taken by mouth and with or without food, but it’s mostly preferable to take it on an empty stomach to increase the absorption rate. If you are a first-time user of this drug, then make sure to check the instructions of the drug well, because there are various types of compositions available.
What’s The Difference Between Tramadol and Tylenol?
Both Tramadol and Tylenol are used to treat pain, which might make you wonder if they are the same product. But this is not the case since both are completely apart from each other in various aspects. We will discuss all those factors and see for ourselves how they differ.
Tramadol vs Tylenol Doses
The doses are always less at first, which is increased gradually based on the requirements. Every individual has a different tolerance capacity, and hence they are given doses based on that. Let’s look into the doses:
Tramadol Doses
- For immediate-release formulations, the initial dose is 25 mg once a day, which can rise to a maximum of 50 mg per day after 3 days of observation.
- In the case of extended-release formulations, the doses are 100 mg once a day.
Tylenol Doses
- The regular Tylenol dose is 325-650 mg, which might be increased further depending on the condition.
Tramadol vs Tylenol For Pain
Both drugs are used for pain, but certain conditions vary for each. If you are confused between Tramadol vs Tylenol for a headache, like minor pain, then you can go for Tylenol. This is because Tylenol is very mild and best suitable for such types of pain, and also does not have many side effects. But, for people suffering from severe pain who need immediate relief, Tramadol is the best option for them. This drug is high in potency and is mostly used for pain, like back pain, nerve pain, post-surgery pain, etc.
Which Is Stronger: Tramadol Or Tylenol?
Tramadol is much stronger in comparison with Tylenol, mainly because of its potency. This is a highly potent drug that mostly helps with severe pain. Whereas Tylenol is a low-potency drug because it is an over-the-counter pain reliever helpful against regular mild pain. The primary reason behind the strength of Tramadol is its drug class, i.e., Opioids, which are generally much stronger.
Let’s look into some more factors in brief
| Factors | Tramadol | Tylenol |
| Drug class | Opioid analgesics | Analgesics, antipyretics |
| Schedule class | Schedule IV | Do not belong to any category |
| Onset | 30 to 60 minutes | 15 to 60 minutes |
| Half-life | 6 hours | 2 to 3 hours |
| Addiction risk | High | Low |
| Duration of use | Not recommended for longer use | Can be used for long intervals |
| Use | Severe pain | Milder pains |
| Availability | Prescription only | Over the counter |
Drug Interactions
In certain cases, if individuals take two drugs that aren’t compatible with each other, then their reaction can cause harm to the body, which is termed a drug interaction. Interactions can also happen in the case of Tramadol and Tylenol if they are mixed accidentally with incompatible drugs.
Let’s see the drugs that will cause interaction when mixed with them.
Tramadol Interaction
Tylenol Interaction
- Rifampin
- Cholestyramine
- Warfarin
- Carbamazepine
- Isoniazid
- Nicotine
Street Names
Street names are the altered names used for controlled drugs to avoid getting caught. These are also the source of communication between the seller and buyers. Let’s see what the street names are for Tramadol and Tylenol.
Tramadol Street Names
- Chill pills
- Trammies
- Ultras
Tylenol Street Names
The street name for Tylenol is mostly used for the combination product of the drugs. A combination of Tylenol and Codeine is available in different names, like:
- T1, T2, T3, and T4
- Doors
- Fours
- Cody
- Captain Cody
The combination of the drug with Acetaminophen is known as:
- Vike
- Watsons
- Percs
Side Effects
Individuals taking either Tramadol or Tylenol face a wide range of side effects that cannot be avoided. These effects are quite normal and are not a matter of concern. But if they start to affect daily life, then you must visit the physician seeking help.
Side effects are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Sweating
- Rashes
- Seizures
- Hypoglycemia
Can You Take Tramadol And Tylenol Together At The Same Time?
Doctors often suggest taking Tramadol and Tylenol together. This is because Tylenol’s potency is much less, which balances out the high potency of Tramadol. Both are effective pain killers on their own and are available as a combination product in many drugs. But still, you have to be careful because in certain cases, Tramadol and Tylenol taken together can also be dangerous if overdosed accidentally. You must seek help immediately in case you face difficulties like:
- Heart problems
- Breathing problem
- Fatigue
- Jaundice
- Dizziness
Alternatives
There are various alternative options available, which you can take if you feel that Tramadol or Tylenol is not working for you. Those alternative options might be more effective and help provide better relief.
Tramadol alternatives
- Ibuprofen
- Tylenol
- Aspirin
- Celecoxib
- Diclofenac
- Naproxen
- Gabapentin
- Lyrica
- Hydrocodone
Tylenol alternatives
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
- Aspirin
Conclusion
At the end of this blog, we can conclude that choosing between Tramadol and Tylenol depends on the condition of the patient. We have already discussed all the crucial points that make both these drugs apart from each other. This will be of great help to you at the time of deciding which drug to choose for pain. The most important point to remember is to consult the physician before taking any steps to avoid unnecessary risks.