Is Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate the same as Tramadol Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen?

No. Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate (ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE) and Tramadol Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen (TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE or TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE to TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

Compare ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE (Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate) and TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN (Tramadol Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate, Codeine Linctus · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets are indicated for the management of mild to moderate pain

where treatment with an opioid is appropriate and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction

abuse

misuse

OralTablet

TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

Tramadol Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen tablets contain tramadol, an opioid agonist and inhibitor of norepinephrine and serotonin re-uptake, and acetamino...

Approved for

abuse

and misuse with opioids

which can occur at any dosage or duration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]

reserve tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATETRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

Drug Class

Opioid Analgesic

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Vomiting

0.1-1%

TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

Vomiting

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Dizziness

0.1-1%

Joint Pain

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see WARNINGS]
Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase
To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate are essential [see Warnings]
Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate [see WARNINGS]

TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia : Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH) occurs when an opioid analgesic paradoxically causes an increase in pain, or an increase in sensitivity to pain
10 ) Risk of Seizure : Can occur at the recommended dose of tramadol
Concomitant use with other drugs may increase seizure risk
Risk may increase in patients with epilepsy, a history of seizures, and in patients with a recognized risk for seizures

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Both ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE and TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN belong to the Opioid Analgesic class. While they share a similar mechanism of action, differences in pharmacokinetics, dosing, and side effect profiles may make one more suitable than the other for individual patients.

Shared Indications

Both medications are approved for abuse. When two drugs treat the same condition, the choice between them often depends on the patient's medical history, other medications, tolerability, and prescriber preference.

Safety Considerations

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE carries 4 FDA warnings. TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN carries 4 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN→OXYCODONE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN→TRAMADOL vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN→CODEINE SULFATE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN→OXYCODONE HYDROCHLORIDE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN→OXYCODONE AND ACETAMINOPHEN vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

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ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Acetaminophen and Codeine Phosphate, Codeine Linctus · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets are indicated for the management of mild to moderate pain

where treatment with an opioid is appropriate and for which alternative treatments are inadequate. Limitations of Use Because of the risks of addiction

abuse

misuse

OralTablet

TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

Tramadol Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen · Opioid Analgesic

How it works

12.1 Mechanism of Action Tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen tablets contain tramadol, an opioid agonist and inhibitor of norepinephrine and serotonin re-uptake, and acetamino...

Approved for

abuse

and misuse with opioids

which can occur at any dosage or duration [see Warnings and Precautions (5.1) ]

reserve tramadol hydrochloride and acetaminophen tablets for use in patients for whom alternative treatment options (e.g.

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATETRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

Drug Class

Opioid Analgesic

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Joint Pain

1-10%

Vomiting

0.1-1%

TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

Vomiting

1-10%

Nausea

1-10%

Drug Not Working

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Dizziness

0.1-1%

Joint Pain

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE

Assess each patient’s risk prior to prescribing acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets and monitor all patients regularly for the development of these behaviors and conditions [see WARNINGS]
Life-Threatening Respiratory Depression Serious, life-threatening, or fatal respiratory depression may occur with use of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially during initiation or following a dosage increase
To reduce the risk of respiratory depression, proper dosing and titration of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate are essential [see Warnings]
Accidental Ingestion Accidental ingestion of even one dose of Acetaminophen and codeine phosphate tablets, especially by children, can result in a fatal overdose of acetaminophen and codeine phosphate [see WARNINGS]

TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN

5 WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia and Allodynia : Opioid-Induced Hyperalgesia (OIH) occurs when an opioid analgesic paradoxically causes an increase in pain, or an increase in sensitivity to pain
10 ) Risk of Seizure : Can occur at the recommended dose of tramadol
Concomitant use with other drugs may increase seizure risk
Risk may increase in patients with epilepsy, a history of seizures, and in patients with a recognized risk for seizures

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE vs TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Shared Indications

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

ACETAMINOPHEN AND CODEINE PHOSPHATE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
TRAMADOL HYDROCHLORIDE AND ACETAMINOPHEN: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov