According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is estimated that 50 million people in the United States deal with chronic pain.[1] There are a variety of pain medications, including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and opioids. While opioids tend to provide the highest level of pain relief, they are also habit-forming and addictive.
Because of the addiction risk of opioid drugs, you should consult your healthcare providers about nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The most effective NSAID for chronic pain is known as Toradol (ketorolac).
On the other hand, sometimes opioids are necessary in the treatment of pain. The mildest opioid pain medication is known as tramadol. While it is a mild opioid, it still poses a risk of addiction.
If you want to weigh the risks and benefits of Toradol (ketorolac) and tramadol, there are many differences to be aware of. First, Toradol is non-habit-forming, while tramadol is addictive. They also have different drug interactions to be aware of.
In this article, you will learn:
What you will learn:
- What is Toradol (ketorolac)?
- What is tramadol?
- How are tramadol and Toradol different?
Is Toradol (Ketorolac) a Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID)?
Toradol is the brand name for a medication used to treat pain called ketorolac. It is a prescription nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug that is used to treat moderately severe acute pain. It’s often used after surgery or during an injury to relieve pain.
Healthcare professionals often prescribe Toradol instead of using opioids, as it is a strong pain reliever without posing a risk of addiction. That said, sometimes Toradol is not enough to manage significant pain, which means doctors might have to replace it with an opioid.
The potential side effects of Toradol (ketorolac) include:[2]
- Pain relief
- Headaches
- Dizziness and drowsiness
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Severe gas
- Sores in the mouth
- Excessive sweating
The boxed warning informs healthcare providers that “Increasing the dose of Toradol beyond a daily maximum of 40 mg in adults will not provide better efficacy but will increase the risk of developing serious adverse events.”[3] It also informs medical professionals not to use Toradol for longer than 5 days.
It is also important to note that people with severe kidney disease should not consume Toradol, as it can affect the health of their kidneys and liver.
Is Tramadol Used for Chronic Pain Management?
Tramadol is an opioid pain reliever that is used for chronic pain management. Because it poses a risk of dependency and addiction, medical professionals are hesitant to prescribe it long-term. Your healthcare provider will weigh risks and benefits to determine if your pain overrides concerns about addiction before prescribing this medication.
The potential side effects of tramadol include:[4]
- Pain relief
- Sleepiness and drowsiness
- Headaches
- Anxiety and nervousness
- Tremors or uncontrollable shaking of a part of the body
- Mood changes
- Heartburn or indigestion
- Dry mouth
Tramadol has a variety of drug interactions, which means it’s important that you tell your healthcare provider what medications you take. Additionally, you should avoid drinking alcohol when taking tramadol. Tamadol can also cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome if you consume it while pregnant, which means you should always inform your doctor about a potential pregnancy.
Tramadol is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant, which means taking too much of it could lead to an overdose. If you or someone you love is overdosing on tramadol, contact 911 immediately. Symptoms of CNS depression include slowed, ineffective breathing, blue-tinted lips, and more.
What is the Difference Between Toradol and Tramadol?
Toradol and tramadol have many similarities. For example, both Toradol and Tramadol relieve pain. They are also indicated for moderate to severe pain.
If you are considering taking Toradol or Tramadol, you should be aware of the differences between the medications. Each one comes with its risks and benefits.
The main differences between Toradol and tramadol include:
Effect on Opioid Receptors
Tramadol is an opioid medication, which means it relieves pain by binding to opioid receptors in your brain. On the other hand, Toradol is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, which means Toradol helps reduce symptoms by inhibiting enzymes called cyclooxygenases (COX) to cause pain relief.
Drug Interactions
Whether you are taking Toradol or tramadol, you need to be aware of the potential interactions. These medications interact negatively with different drugs.
Both Toradol and tramadol should not be taken with alcohol. When you mix tramadol and alcohol, it increases the risk of life-threatening respiratory depression. On the other hand, combining Toradol and alcohol increases your risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding, as both substances thin the blood.
Examples of drug interactions associated with Tramadol include other drugs that increase serotonin levels, opioid medications, antipsychotics, and others. Toradol has interactions with anticoagulants, SSRIs, other NSAIDs, ACE inhibitors, and more.
Sometimes, healthcare providers prescribe Toradol or tramadol before they are aware of your other medications. If this occurs, you need to make sure to let them know what other drugs you take, as some medications could have life-threatening interactions.
Toradol vs Tramadol: Level of Pain Relief
Both Toradol and tramadol are Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved prescription medications used to manage pain. If you are looking for reliable pain management, either Toradol or tramadol will work for you. That said, they do offer different levels of pain relief.
Because tramadol is an opioid, it tends to offer a higher level of pain relief than Toradol. Even though Toradol is indicated to treat moderately severe pain, it might not be as effective as opioid medications.
If you suffer from moderately severe pain or chronic pain, your doctor can help you figure out what type of medication is right for you.
Addiction Risks
Tramadol is considered a Schedule IV controlled substance because it poses a risk of abuse and dependence. Taking it long-term could lead to a substance use disorder. Ask your healthcare provider about whether taking tramadol is going to put you at risk of addiction.
If you are taking tramadol, tell your healthcare provider that you’d like to try a non-habit-forming pain management option.
Safer alternatives for chronic pain include NSAIDs, like Toradol. To explain, Toradol does not affect the pleasure and reward center of your brain, which means it will not cause addiction. It is highly effective in treating moderately severe pain and inflammation, which means you get pain relief without the risk of developing substance abuse issues.
Get Connected to a Tramadol Addiction Treatment Center
Medications used to treat pain can lead to addiction, especially opioids. While pain and inflammation can be hard to cope with, there are alternatives to opioids that remove the risk of addiction.
If you are taking either medication, you need to pay attention to potential drug interactions and consult your healthcare provider if you believe you are suffering from an addiction to the drug.
Thankfully, PAX Memphis is here to help you find the addiction treatment you need to overcome tramadol dependency. We can also find you non opioid medications to manage your pain, reducing the risk of you experiencing life-threatening overdoses and central nervous system (CNS) depression.
Contact us today for more information on how we can help you recover from tramadol addiction and moderate to severe pain.
References:
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Chronic Pain Among Adults — United States, 2019–2021
- Medline Plus: Ketorolac
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Toradol Label
- Medline Plus: Tramadol