Comparisons of Tramadol and Ibuprofen

It is actually common for certain types of prescription medication to be compared since there are often similarities, as well as differences. This is true when it comes to Tramadol, which is something we wanted to discuss in this article. Although morphine, oxycodone, and hydrocodone are the drugs usually compared with Tramadol, we wanted to focus specifically on comparisons of Tramadol and Ibuprofen.

There are several different reasons for making comparisons of Tramadol and ibuprofen. For one thing, both are non-narcotic pain relievers but in addition, it has been discovered that the two prescribed together can actually be beneficial in relation to a number of scenarios. With growing interest, several studies and clinical trials have been conducted with the outcomes being quite interesting.

Specific to surgical abortion, a randomized trial completed at the University of Chicago compared Tramadol with ibuprofen and the findings were interesting. This was a double blind study of women visiting a community abortion clinic. As part of the trial, 158 women participated. Of these, 80 women were given 800 mg of ibuprofen and 78 women were given 50 mg of Tramadol, both in oral form.

Pain ratings were taken from all the women in the study immediately after completion of the study and then again 30 minutes after having a surgical abortion. Taking all responses into consideration, this particular study showed zero difference in pain immediately following the procedure but for the 30 minutes after the procedure, ibuprofen was found to be slightly more effective as a pain reliever than Tramadol was.

Advantages of Tramadol and Ibuprofen

We also want to mention that there are some benefits associated with someone taking these drugs simultaneously. After careful evaluation, experts confirmed there are no major drug interactions between the two and in many cases, Tramadol and ibuprofen combined is beneficial. As an example, ibuprofen is taken primarily to help reduce inflammation while Tramadol is for pain. Therefore, someone with an injury such as a broken bone would achieve reduced swelling and pain relief by taking both drugs together but without risk of side effects.

Disadvantages of Tramadol and Ibuprofen

Just as there are positive aspects when comparing Tramadol and ibuprofen, there are also some drawbacks that should also be fully understood. While ibuprofen is considered a relatively harmless medication sold over-the-counter and in prescription form, some people cannot take it. For example, there is risk of increasingly high blood pressure, which is why someone with hypertension should avoid taking ibuprofen.

Additional risks that some people face with ibuprofen include heart attack, development of ulcers, gastrointestinal bleeding, and even stroke. However, for most people, ibuprofen is an effective and safe pain reliever and anti-inflammatory medication. Considering there are no known drug interactions with Tramadol, an individual with moderate to moderately severe pain could be prescribed both drugs together.

Similar Components

Again, there are differences found when comparing Tramadol and ibuprofen but in crystal form both share much the same processes and offer the same uses although ibuprofen has the added element of being an anti-inflammatory medication. Now, one thing that Tramadol offers that ibuprofen does not is the ability to also treat anxiety and depression. While the primary purpose is to relieve pain, Tramadol does have this extra benefit.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that both Tramadol and Ibuprofen have been proven effective and safe for treating pain. Even so, it is important to understand the distinct differences. For instance, in comparing Tramadol and ibuprofen, Tramadol appears to work best for more intense levels of pain whereas ibuprofen seems to be somewhat better for mild to moderate pain.

Then as mentioned, from what experts can tell there is no real risk associated with taking Tramadol and ibuprofen at the same time. When it comes to pain medication, this is somewhat rare so having the ability to combine the two drugs is highly beneficial for certain situations. Remember that ibuprofen also offers anti-inflammatory properties, something Tramadol does not provide.

Since there are still some unknowns about Tramadol and ibuprofen, it would be essential for a person to be under the care of a doctor who is fully aware of the pros and cons of both prescription medications, specifically risks associated with certain health-related issues.