Tramadol vs Oxycodone: what is the difference?
Oxycodone, sold as Oxycontin, is a plain opioid close to morphine; tramadol binds the opioid receptor weakly and also acts on serotonin and norepinephrine.
Sources and notes
- The sentence under the titlefrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notesThe pair's answer line.
- The two drawingscomputedMoleculeFinder rule (RDKit MCS)Each molecule's own drawing, as its page shows it. The common core, 8 of 23 atoms, is too small to align on.
Side by side
| Tramadol | Oxycodone | |
|---|---|---|
| Molecular weightCalculated PubChem | 263.37 g/molC16H25NO2 | 315.4 g/molC18H21NO4 |
| Hydrogen-bond donorsCalculated PubChem | 1 | 1 |
| FamilyEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Opioids | Opioids |
| Everyday groupEditorial MoleculeFinder curated | Prescription medicine | Prescription medicine |
| Chemical groupsCalculated Found by rule (RDKit) | Alcohols, Aromatics, Ethers | Alcohols, Aromatics, Ketones, Ethers |
| Hazard labelReported ECHA, HSDB via PubChem | Danger | Warning |
| The supplier-filed hazard label's signal word, not a statement about ordinary use. | ||
| LD50Measured HSDB via PubChem | 228 mg/kgpure tramadol, rat, oral | 320 mg/kgpure oxycodone, mouse, another route |
| A single acute animal measure, here in two different species. It ranks nothing about human safety. | ||
Sources and notes
- Molecular weightcomputedPubChemComputed from the structure; the formula is under each weight.
- Hydrogen-bond donorscomputedPubChemThe hydrogens on nitrogen or oxygen that each molecule can lend to a hydrogen bond, counted from its structure.
- Familyfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Everyday groupfrom sourceMoleculeFinder curated
- Chemical groupscomputedFound by rule (RDKit)Each group is found in the structure by a chemical pattern.
- Hazard labelfrom sourceECHA, HSDB via PubChem
- LD50from sourceHSDB via PubChem
- ECHAfrom sourceAttributionSource: European Chemicals Agency, echa.europa.eu.
- Identifiersfrom sourcePubChemPubChem CID 33741 (Tramadol) and 5284603 (Oxycodone).
In more detail
Both are opioids and both are prescription painkillers, but tramadol is the odder molecule of the two. It binds the mu-opioid receptor weakly and also blocks the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine, so part of what it does is not opioid pharmacology at all. Oxycodone is a straightforward semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine, closer in structure and in effect to morphine. Tramadol also depends heavily on a liver enzyme to become its active form, which is why its effect varies between people more than oxycodone's does. Both are controlled substances in the United States and the United Kingdom, and both appear in this catalog as prescription medicines rather than as anything found in a food.
Sources and notes
- The paragraphfrom sourceMoleculeFinder comparison notes
Questions
- What is the difference between Tramadol and Oxycodone (Oxycontin)?
- Oxycodone, sold as Oxycontin, is a plain opioid close to morphine; tramadol binds the opioid receptor weakly and also acts on serotonin and norepinephrine.
- Is Tramadol bigger than Oxycodone?
- Oxycodone is the heavier molecule, 315.4 g/mol against 263.37 g/mol for Tramadol. Tramadol is C16H25NO2 and Oxycodone is C18H21NO4.
Sources and notes
- The answersfrom sourceMoleculeFinderThe first is the pair's answer line; the others are read off the table above.