Medical Advice

Tapentadol vs Oxycodone: What’s the Difference

Tapentadol vs Oxycodone

An around-the-clock treatment of opioids is commonly prescribed to people who are suffering from moderate to severe pain. These medicines are often suggested in post-operative pain management. we will provide all the information on Tapentadol vs Oxycodone medicines to reduce pain.

It is necessary to consult a medical practitioner before consuming, as these drugs are considered narcotics due to this property they are addictive.

Some tests and examinations can help you in determining the correct dosage of the drug, which will suit you. 

However, these medications belong to the same drug class but work a bit differently. In this very blog you can spot the definition, uses, dosage, and side effects of Tapentadol vs Oxycodone. 

What is Tapentadol?

Tapentadol is a drug that is suggested for people suffering from post-operative pain. Due to its addictive nature, the drug is considered narcotic. 

It belongs to the drug class of opioids, Tapentadol is the generic name of the drug and is sold under the brand names of Nucynta, and Nucynta ER.

The extended-release form of the drug is an around-the-clock treatment for pain, it is not suggested to consume the medicine as per pain requirements. 

The drug got its approval from the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in the US for use on November 20, 2008.

Uses of Tapentadol 

The medicine is most prominently used to manage different types of pain in an individual. Some of the conventional uses of this medicine are as follows:

  • Treatment of peripheral pain. 
  • Useful in treating pain in cancer patients.
  • Helpful in managing pain.
  • Chronic pain management.
  • Fibromyalgia.

Dosage and Strength 

One can consume the correct dosage of the medicine only by consulting an expert healthcare provider. Furthermore, the strength of the drug varies for an individual according to the requirements of one’s body.

The medication is available in two forms, which are as follows:

Immediate-Release Tablets: The immediate-release variant of the drug comes in various strengths and is generally used for short-term pain treatment.

These tablets are pale yellow.

Various strengths of the Immediate Release Form 

  • 50 mg
  • 75 mg
  • 100 mg

Extended-Release Tablets: The extended-release form of the drug is used for treating pain for a stretched period and is mostly orange or beige.

The extended-release form of tapentadol comes in a much higher strength than the immediate-release one. 

Various Strengths of Extended Release Form

  • 50 mg 
  • 100 mg
  • 200 mg
  • 250 mg

Side Effects of Tapentadol 

One has to undergo the side effects only when he/she consumes the wrong dose of the drug or has an allergic response to the ingredients of the medication.

Immediately seek help from a medical healthcare expert if you have allergic responses (hives, pain in the chest, swelling in various parts of the body such as the face, lips, throat, tongue, etc.) to the medicine.

  • Shallow breathing.
  • Multiple episodes of seizure.
  • Serotonin-related disorders.
  • Fever.
  • Increased heart rate.
  • Stiffness in muscles.
  • Nausea.

There are some common side effects that one should be aware of to be safe and seek medical help immediately.

  • Constipation 
  • Nausea 
  • Headache 
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Vomiting
  • Pain in the stomach

What is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is an opioid-based medicine that is used for treating moderate to severe pain in an individual.

The drug comes under the category of narcotics and 

it comes under Schedule-II substance.

It falls under the drug class of opioid analgesics and is sold under various brand names that are Oxaydo, Roxicodone, Oxycodone Roxybond, etc.

The drug was approved by the FDA in the US on October 26, 1998.

Uses of Oxycodone

The drug is capable of treating various types of pain in an individual, which are as follows:

  • Helpful in treating pain in cancer patients.
  • Alleviative care.
  • Chronic pain management.
  • Gives relief from acute pain.

Dosage and Strength 

The medication is only prescribed according to the health condition of an individual by an expert healthcare professional.

The Oxycodone tablets are round in shape and white in color. 

There are majorly four forms of the drug that are as follows:

Immediate-release tablets 

  • 5mg 
  • 10mg 
  • 15 mg 
  • 20mg  
  • 30mg

Immediate release capsules 

  • 5mg

Extended-release tablets

  • 10 mg 
  • 15 mg
  • 20 mg 
  • 30 mg 
  • 40 mg 
  • 60 mg 
  • 80 mg

Immediate-release oral solution

  • 5 mg per 5 ml (1 mg/ml)
  • 100 mg per 5 ml (20 mg/ml)

Side Effects of Oxycodone 

You need to consult a healthcare expert before consuming the medicine as you may possess some allergic reaction to the elements present in oxycodone. 

Allergic reactions to the drug might be as follows:

  • Hives.
  • Swelling on the various parts of the body including face, lips, throat, and tongue.
  • Chest pain 
  • Increased heart rate

Immediately seek a healthcare professional’s help if you observe any of the symptoms, which are as follows: 

  • Noise while breathing
  • Severe level of drowsiness
  • Increased dizziness
  • Frequent seizures
  • Agitation
  • Hallucination
  • Stiffness in muscles
  • Loss of appetite
  • The drug is not recommended for use by people who have been suffering from chronic breathing problems 

Some Crucial Side Effects of Oxycodone 

Precautions

You should avoid taking the drugs yourself, moreover, consult an expert healthcare provider and inform the doctor, if you have suffered from any kind of problems or using any kind of medication previously. 

Keep these drugs safe and away from the reach of children.

Pregnant women should avoid using these drugs as it might have serious consequences on an unborn baby.

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