Comparing Tapentadol and Oxymorphone

James Devil October 23, 2019

2,085 1 minute read

Pharmaceutical suppliers offer a wide array of pain relief medications for patients. While all narcotic pain relievers have similarities, they do vary slightly. Two options are tapentadol and oxymorphone. Both treat pain, but they consist of different active ingredients.

About Tapentadol

Tapentadol consists of a narcotic to manage pain and also a norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor. A norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor is usually used as an antidepressant or antianxiety medication since it prohibits your body from reabsorbing serotonin and norepinephrine into the nerve cells. This particular ingredient makes the drug effective at treating nerve-related pain.

According to the National Institutes of Health, this particular medication has similar properties to tramadol and morphine and has the ability to control pain like oxycodone and hydrocodone. Because of its composition, it has less of a risk of side effects, and they’re generally less severe than those of other narcotics. Doctors prescribe this medication to treat moderate to severe pain that lasts for an extended period.

About Oxymorphone

Another option for pain relief supplied pharmaceutical suppliers is oxymorphone. It’s a semisynthetic and similar to Dilaudid (hydromorphone). Oxymorphone is a potent narcotic and used to treat moderate to severe pain for extended periods of time. It works by affecting the receptors in both the nervous system and muscles. Oxymorphone is sold under the name brand Opana and debuted on the market in 2006 in extended-release and immediate-release forms. Prior to that, oxymorphone was only used as an injectable or suppository since its development in 1959.

Comparing Tapentadol and Oxymorphone

Both tapentadol and oxymorphone classify as narcotic pain killers sold by pharmaceutical suppliers. Both of these drugs treat moderate to severe pain and are available in both immediate-release and extended-release forms. However, a physician usually prescribes oxymorphone for more serious pain.

A person may become addicted to either tapentadol or oxymorphone. Narcotic analgesics always carry the potential for abuse and addiction. Although studies show norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors aren’t addictive, they cause discontinuation symptoms that are similar to withdrawal.

Oxymorphone isn’t effective at treating nerve-related pain in patients with neuropathy. However, tapentadol’s norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor properties make this drug a solution for nerve-related pain.

Generally, the side effects of tapentadol are less severe than those of oxymorphone. For instance, the risk of respiratory depression and death aren’t as common with tapentadol as with oxymorphone. It’s possible to overdose with either drug, and even when using the medication as directed, either one can cause serious side effects.

Only a physician can determine if tapentadol or oxymorphone is right for a patient. Sometimes, it depends on the pharmaceutical suppliers who service the practice.