Two medicines, side by side
Tramadol vs aspirin
Tramadol and aspirin are both labeled for pain. Drugs@FDA records approvals of tramadol since 1995 and of aspirin since 1965. Pharmacies paid $0.0248 per tramadol HCl 50 mg tablet and $0.0142 per aspirin ec 81 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Only the tramadol label carries a boxed warning.
Check it at the source: the tramadol FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 5, 2026); the aspirin FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 9, 2025).
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
Highlights of the aspirin record
Aspirin (Measurin) · label of September 9, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsTemporarily relieves headache toothache pain and fever of colds muscle pain menstrual pain minor pain of arthritis
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- June 25, 1965
- Generic labelers
- none listed
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0142 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 1
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Tramadol label of March 5, 2026, Aspirin label of September 9, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do tramadol and aspirin differ on the record?
Only the tramadol label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: tramadol since 2002; aspirin none approved (Drugs@FDA).
DEA schedule: tramadol CIV; aspirin none.
| Tramadol | Aspirin | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Pain | Pain, Cough and cold, Fever |
| Pharmacologic class | Opioid Agonist | n/a |
| How it works (label) | Tramadol hydrochloride extended-release tablet contains tramadol, an opioid agonist and an inhibitor of reuptake of norepinephrine and serotonin. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | March 3, 1995 | June 25, 1965 |
| First generic approved | June 19, 2002 | none |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 39 labelers | none listed |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0248 per tablet (Tramadol HCl 50 mg tablet) | $0.0142 per tablet (Aspirin ec 81 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -1% | -2% |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 1 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 37,421 | 534,208 |
| DEA schedule | CIV | none |
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?
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 tramadol
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions