In the USA, many people suffer from pain which can be caused by a lot of reasons. Individuals experiencing short-term or long-term pain caused due to injury or after having surgery etc. These types of pain can be treated using medication drugs like Tapentadol and Oxycodone which are suggested for use by healthcare professionals. Tapentadol and Oxycodone drugs are used for pain management. These medicines are opioids, but they both work differently. In this blog, we have mentioned all the information about Tapentadol Vs Oxycodone including their usages, dosages, and side effects.
Tapentadol Vs Oxycodone: Similarities & Differences
Overview of Tapentadol Drug
Tapentadol drug is a pain reliever medication used for treating moderate to severe short-term pain such as pain from an injury or after surgery. This medicine combines two methods of pain relief, mu-opioid receptor agonism and norepinephrine reuptake inhibition. It provides relief from pain by acting on both opioid receptors and inhibiting the reuptake of norepinephrine in the central nervous system (CNS).
Tapentadol also inhibits the reuptake of norepinephrine, a neurotransmitter involved in the body’s natural pain control mechanisms. By blocking the reuptake of norepinephrine this drug increases its concentration in the synaptic cleft, increasing its analgesic effect and providing additional pain relief.
The dual mechanism of action of Tapentadol allows it to provide effective pain relief with a lower risk of some common opioid-related side effects. Nevertheless, like other opioids, this drug still carries a risk of dependence and misuse, so it is important to use the drug under the guidance of a doctor or healthcare experts.
Overview of Oxycodone Drug
It is an opioid analgesic mainly used to treat moderate to chronic pain in individuals. It contains a high potential for drug abuse, similar to morphine. Oxycodone works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system, primarily the mu-opioid receptors. This pain control medicine is considered semi-synthetic, derived from thebaine, an alkaloid found in the opium poppy.
As mentioned above, Oxycodone is available in two formulations, immediate-release (IR) and extended-release (ER), and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The immediate-release form is commonly used for acute pain relief, whereas the extended-release form provides continuous pain management in chronic conditions.
Although it is effective in pain management, Oxycodone carries risks of harmful effects such as respiratory depression, constipation, and the potential for addiction. It is crucial to take a doctor’s advice before taking the pain reliever, due to these risks.
Uses of Tapentadol Medicine
The drug is used for various types of pain such as:
- Acute pain – Sometimes doctors prescribe Tapentadol for short-term relief of pain caused by several conditions like surgery, injury, or other medical procedures.
- Cancer pain – Tapentadol may be used to manage cancer-related pain that is not properly controlled by other medications.
- Chronic pain – The drug may also be used for long-term treatment of chronic pain conditions in individuals, such as neuropathic pain, osteoarthritis, lower back pain, etc.
Uses of Oxycodone Medicine
Here are some common uses of this drug:
- Acute Pain Relief – This medicine is usually prescribed for short-term relief of acute pain caused by trauma, medical procedures, etc.
- Breakthrough Pain – For patients already taking continuous opioid medications for chronic pain, Oxycodone may be prescribed for the treatment of breakthrough pain, sudden, and intense flares of pain that occur even with the use of regular pain medication.
Dose and Dosages of Tapentadol
Tapentadol comes in tablet form and its available strengths are:
- 50 mg
- 75 mg
- 100 mg
- 150 mg
- 200 mg
- 250 mg
The initial dose is 50 mg to 100 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain relief. The maximum dose depends on the patient’s health conditions. Dosage adjustments may be altered based on the individuals’ response to the drug and their tolerance level.
Dose and Dosages of Oxycodone
Oxycodone drug comes in the from of oral concentrate, oral tablet, oral capsule, and oral solutions. It is available in various strengths such as:
The starting and maximum doses are recommended by the healthcare provider according to the severity of pain. A doctor may prescribe an ER tablet dose for chronic pain which is 10 mg, taken orally in every 12 hours.
Oxycodone immediate-release (IR) starts working 15 minutes or half an hour after taking orally. On the other hand, the Oxycodone extended-release (ER) variant takes 2 to 4 hours to start working.
Side Effects of Tapentadol Drug
Following are the side effects of the Tapentadol drug.
- Chills
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle pain
- Painful urination
- Unusual weakness
- Indigestion
- Constipation
- Fainting
- Diarrhea
- Sweating
- Nausea
Side Effects of Oxycodone Drug
Following are some of the common Oxycodone side effects:
- Vomiting
- Confusion
- Headache
- Redness in the eyes
- Clammy skin
- Nausea
- Shivering
- Sleepiness
- Dizziness
- Agitation
- Dry mouth
- Upset stomach
Precautions
- Never share individualized dosages of these opioid drugs with other patients, especially those who have a history of drug addiction.
- Tell the doctor or healthcare provider if a patient is experiencing any side effects after taking these medicines.
- Do not stop using these analgesic drugs suddenly, because these may cause withdrawal symptoms.
- Follow all the instructions given by the healthcare professional for fast and better results in treating pain.
- Take pain relieving medicines exactly as prescribed by the doctor, to get the maximum benefits of these drugs.
- During the consultation with a doctor, do not forget to share the patient’s medical history and their current consumption of drugs.
Conclusion
Wrapping up this blog with all the information about Tapentadol and Oxycodone, a patient must be aware of Tapentadol and Oxycodone opioid drugs that are known for their efficacy in managing pain either for short-term or long-term pain conditions.
The choice between these drugs depends on the consulting doctor as the doctor will prescribe the dosage based on some key factors like the patient’s health conditions, age, etc.