Two medicines, side by side
Etodolac vs tramadol
Etodolac and tramadol are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of etodolac since 1991 and of tramadol since 1995. Pharmacies paid $0.262 per etodolac 400 mg tablet and $0.0248 per tramadol HCl 50 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, etodolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and tramadol an opioid agonist.
Check it at the source: the etodolac FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 16, 2026); the tramadol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 5, 2026).
Highlights of the etodolac record
Etodolac (Lodine) · label of July 16, 2026
Cardiovascular Thrombotic Events Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) cause an increased risk of serious cardiovascular thrombotic events, including myocardial infarction and stroke, which can be fatal. This risk may occur early in treatment and may increase with duration of use [see Warnings and Precautions ]. Etodolac tablets, 400 mg and 500 mg are contraindicated in the setting of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery [see Contraindications and Warnings ].
Used for
From the label: indicationsCarefully consider the potential benefits and risks of etodolac tablets and other treatment options before deciding to use etodolac tablets. Use the lowest effective dose for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals (see WARNINGS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 31, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 30 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.262 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
Highlights of the tramadol record
Tramadol (Ultram) · label of March 5, 2026
SERIOUS AND LIFE-THREATENING RISKS FROM USE OF TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE EXTENDED-RELEASE TABLETS Addiction, Abuse, and Misuse Because the use of Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet exposes patients and other users to the risks of opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse, which can lead to overdose and death, assess each patient's risk prior to prescribing and reassess all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5.1 )].
Used for
From the label: indicationsTramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet is indicated for the management of severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid analgesic and that cannot be adequately treated with alternative options, including immediate-release opioids. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- March 3, 1995
- Generic labelers
- 39 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0248 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Etodolac label of July 16, 2026, Tramadol label of March 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do etodolac and tramadol differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, etodolac is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and tramadol an opioid agonist.
How each works, in its label's words: Etodolac, “of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition.”; Tramadol, “Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet contains tramadol, an opioid agonist and an inhibitor of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin.”
Both labels carry a boxed warning; the records quote them.
Generics: etodolac since 1997; tramadol since 2002 (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: etodolac none; tramadol CIV.
| Etodolac | Tramadol | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis | Pain |
| Pharmacologic class | Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drug | Opioid Agonist |
| How it works (label) | of etodolac, like that of other NSAIDs, is not completely understood, but may be related to prostaglandin synthetase inhibition. Etodolac is a racemic mixture of [-]R- and [+]S-etodolac. | Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet contains tramadol, an opioid agonist and an inhibitor of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal half-life (t 1/2 ) of etodolac is 6.4 hours (22% CV). | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 31, 1991 | March 3, 1995 |
| First generic approved | February 28, 1997 | June 19, 2002 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 30 labelers | 39 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.262 per tablet (Etodolac 400 mg tablet) | $0.0248 per tablet (Tramadol HCl 50 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +0.9% | -1% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 5,958 | 37,421 |
| DEA schedule | none | CIV |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Etodolac label, drug interactionsThe clinical significance of this interaction is not known; however, as with other NSAIDs, concomitant administration of etodolac and aspirin is not generally recommended because of the potential of increased adverse effects.
Tramadol label, warnings and precautionsRisks from Concomitant Use with Benzodiazepines or Other CNS Depressants Profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death may result from the concomitant use of tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablets with benzodiazepines and/or other CNS depressants, including alcohol (e.g., non-benzodiazepine sedatives/hypnotics, anxiolytics, tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, general anesthetics, antipsychotics …
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to etodolac
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions