PlainMeds provides educational information only. This is not medical advice. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.

acetaminophen/oxycodone vs tramadol

Side-by-side comparison of acetaminophen/oxycodone and tramadol. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

Serotonergic Drugs The concomitant use of opioids with other drugs that affect the serotonergic neurotransmitter system, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), tryptans, 5-HT3 receptor antagonists, drugs that affect the serotonin neurotransmitter system (e.g., mirtazapine, trazodone, tramadol), certain muscle relaxants (i.e., cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone), and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (those intended to treat psychiatric disorders and also others, such as linezolid and...

Recommendation: Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely for signs of a serious reaction called serotonin syndrome.

Drug Class
acetaminophen/oxycodone Opioid Analgesic Combination
tramadol Opioid Analgesic
Type
acetaminophen/oxycodone Prescription
tramadol Prescription
Summary
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Percocet is a strong pain medicine. It contains acetaminophen and oxycodone, an opioid.

tramadol

Tramadol extended-release is a strong pain medicine. It is used to treat severe, ongoing pain that needs an opioid medicine when other pain medicines don't work well enough.

What It Treats
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Percocet is used to manage severe pain. It is for pain that requires an opioid medicine. You should only use Percocet if other pain treatments don't work well enough.

tramadol

Tramadol extended-release tablets are used to manage severe, long-lasting pain. This medicine is for pain that requires an opioid and cannot be treated well with other options. It is not for pain that comes and goes.

How It Works
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Oxycodone works in the brain to block pain signals. Acetaminophen also helps to reduce pain and fever. Together, they provide stronger pain relief.

tramadol

Tramadol works in your brain to change how your body feels pain. It binds to opioid receptors and also affects certain chemicals in the brain. This helps to lessen the pain you feel.

Common Side Effects
acetaminophen/oxycodone
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
tramadol
  • Dizziness
  • Constipation
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Headache
  • Feeling sleepy
FAERS Reports
acetaminophen/oxycodone
  • Tiredness 34,486
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 29,571
  • Head pain 28,378
  • Aches 28,322
  • Loose stools 23,628
tramadol
  • Needing the drug to function 7,820
  • Taking too much of the drug 3,855
  • Throwing up 3,156
  • Discomfort 2,880
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 2,713
Serious Warnings
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Percocet has a boxed warning. It can cause addiction, abuse, and misuse, leading to overdose and death. It can also cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially when starting or increasing the dose. Accidental ingestion, even one dose, can cause a fatal overdose, especially in children. Taking Percocet with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can cause severe sedation, breathing problems, coma, and death. Using opioids for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if you take too much.

tramadol

Tramadol extended-release tablets can be habit-forming, leading to addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can result in overdose and death. Taking tramadol with other depressants like alcohol or benzodiazepines can cause very serious side effects, including slowed breathing, coma, and death. Even one dose of tramadol can be fatal, especially in children. Using tramadol for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

Pregnancy
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Taking Percocet for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Make sure a newborn specialist is available when you deliver your baby.

tramadol

Tramadol may harm your unborn baby. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking this medicine, as it can pass into breast milk and harm your baby.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This acetaminophen/oxycodone vs tramadol Comparison

acetaminophen/oxycodone is classified in the Opioid Analgesic Combination drug class, while tramadol sits within the Opioid Analgesic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, acetaminophen/oxycodone has 144,385 submissions while tramadol has 20,424. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to using these two drugs together can cause too much serotonin to build up in your body.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between acetaminophen/oxycodone and tramadol - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.