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Buprenorphine Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Buprenorphine Oxycodone Tramadol
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Buprenorphine Oxycodone Tramadol
Prescription only

Buprenorphine is a potent analgesic that should be only used to treat moderate to severe pain or for the treatment of opioid addiction under strict conditions. Different formulations of the drug... View more

Prescription only

Oxycodone is a potent pain-relieving medicine that should be reserved for mainly cancer-related pain. It carries a high potential for addiction and common side effects include sedation and... View more

Prescription only

Tramadol is a strong pain relief medicine effective for both general and nerve-related pain. Tramadol can cause dependence and use may be limited by side effects such as nausea and... View more

More about Buprenorphine More about Oxycodone More about Tramadol
Generic Status

Lower-cost generic is available

Lower-cost generic is available

Lower-cost generic is available
Ratings & Reviews

Buprenorphine has an average rating of 6.6 out of 10 from a total of 1102 ratings on Drugs.com. 57% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 27% reported a negative effect.

Oxycodone has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 1138 ratings on Drugs.com. 63% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 25% reported a negative effect.

Tramadol has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 1822 ratings on Drugs.com. 61% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 24% reported a negative effect.

View all 1102 reviews

View all 1138 reviews

View all 1822 reviews

Drug Class
Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects include:

  • constipation
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • nausea

See also: buprenorphine side effects in more detail.

Commonly reported side effects include:

  • constipation
  • drowsiness
  • nausea
  • pruritus
  • vomiting

See also: oxycodone side effects in more detail.

Commonly reported side effects include:

  • pruritus
  • agitation
  • anxiety
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • hallucination
  • nausea
  • tremor
  • vomiting
  • diaphoresis
  • show all 10

See also: tramadol side effects in more detail.
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
Quantity 30 each
Dosage 8 mg
Per Unit* $2.08
Cost* $62.38

View all buprenorphine prices

Quantity 100 each
Dosage 5 mg
Per Unit* $0.26
Cost* $26.23

View all oxycodone prices

Quantity 9 tablet
Dosage 50 mg
Per Unit* $1.29
Cost* $11.59

View all tramadol prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

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Dosage Form(s) Available
  • Injectable solution
  • Sublingual tablet
  • Transdermal film, extended release
  • Oral capsule
  • Oral concentrate
  • Oral solution
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral tablet, extended release
  • Oral capsule, extended release
  • Oral liquid
  • Oral tablet
  • Oral tablet, extended release
Brand Names
Belbuca, Brixadi, Buprenex, Butrans, Sublocade Dazidox, Endocodone, ETH-Oxydose, Oxaydo, OxyContin, Oxydose, Oxyfast, Roxicodone, RoxyBond, Xtampza ER View more ConZip, Qdolo, Tramadol Hydrochloride ER
Half Life The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

48 hours

5.6 hours

5.2 hours
CSA Schedule ** View glossary of terms
M
Multiple

The drug has multiple schedules. The schedule may depend on the exact dosage form or strength of the medication.
2
High potential for abuse

Has a high potential for abuse. Has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions. Abuse may lead to severe psychological or physical dependence.
4
Some potential for abuse

Has a low potential for abuse relative to those in schedule 3. It has a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States. Abuse may lead to limited physical dependence or psychological dependence relative to those in schedule 3.
Pregnancy Category
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
N
Category N Not classified

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full pregnancy warnings document.
Drug Interactions

A total of 672 drugs are known to interact with buprenorphine:

  • 201 major drug interactions (690 brand and generic names)
  • 467 moderate drug interactions (1869 brand and generic names)
  • 4 minor drug interactions (9 brand and generic names)

A total of 573 drugs are known to interact with oxycodone:

  • 208 major drug interactions (751 brand and generic names)
  • 364 moderate drug interactions (1435 brand and generic names)
  • 1 minor drug interactions (3 brand and generic names)

A total of 652 drugs are known to interact with tramadol:

  • 304 major drug interactions (1145 brand and generic names)
  • 346 moderate drug interactions (1437 brand and generic names)
  • 2 minor drug interactions (5 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
  • Using buprenorphine together with other medications that also cause central nervous system... View more
  • Do not use alcohol or medications that contain alcohol while you are receiving treatment with... View more
  • Alcohol can increase the nervous system side effects of traMADol such as dizziness, drowsiness, and... View more
Disease Interactions
First Approval Date

December 29, 1981

October 26, 1998

March 03, 1995
WADA Class View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A
More Information
Patient resources
Professional Resources
Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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