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Fentanyl Alternatives Compared

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

Fentanyl is a very potent pain-relieving medicine. It is not recommended for people who have never been prescribed opioid-type pain relief before, and deaths have been reported from improper dosing... View more

Prescription only

Oxycodone is a semisynthetic opioid medication with potent pain-relieving properties that may be used to relieve severe pain that is unresponsive to less potent pain-relieving medicines (analgesics)... View more

Prescription only

Tramadol is a strong opioid pain relieving medication that may be used to treat moderate to severe general and nerve-related pain. Tramadol may be habit-forming and misuse can cause addiction... View more

More about Fentanyl More about Oxycodone More about Tramadol
Ratings & Reviews

Fentanyl has an average rating of 7.8 out of 10 from a total of 432 ratings on Drugs.com. 72% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 11% reported a negative effect.

Oxycodone has an average rating of 6.9 out of 10 from a total of 1143 ratings on Drugs.com. 61% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 25% reported a negative effect.

Tramadol has an average rating of 7.0 out of 10 from a total of 1877 ratings on Drugs.com. 62% of reviewers reported a positive effect, while 23% reported a negative effect.

View all 432 reviews

View all 1143 reviews

View all 1877 reviews

Side Effects Experienced by Users Side effects are reported in Drugs.com user reviews and not clinically verified.

View all Fentanyl side effects

View all Oxycodone side effects

View all Tramadol side effects
Drug Class
Generic Availability

Lower cost generic

Lower cost generic

Lower cost generic
Pricing and Coupons * Prices are without insurance
Quantity 10 mL
Strength 50 mcg/mL
Per unit* $2.86
Cost* $28.56

View all Fentanyl prices

Quantity 100 each
Strength 5 mg
Per unit* $0.25
Cost* $24.88

View all Oxycodone prices

Quantity 9 tablet
Strength 50 mg
Per unit* $1.34
Cost* $12.06

View all Tramadol prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Dosage Forms
  • Buccal tablet
  • Injectable solution
  • Intravenous solution
  • Oral transmucosal lozenge
  • 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
Actiq, Duragesic, Fentanyl Transdermal System, Fentora, Lazanda, Subsys Dazidox, Endocodone, ETH-Oxydose, Oxaydo, OxyContin, Oxydose, Oxyfast, Roxicodone, RoxyBond, Xtampza ER View more ConZip, Qdolo, Tramadol Hydrochloride ER
Half Life Drug half-life is the time required for plasma concentration to reduce to half its original value.

8.7 hours

5.6 hours

5.2 hours
CSA Schedule 1 View glossary of CSA terms
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.
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 634 drugs are known to interact with Fentanyl:

  • 260 major drug interactions (975 brand and generic names)
  • 370 moderate drug interactions (1456 brand and generic names)
  • 4 minor drug interactions (16 brand and generic names)

A total of 616 drugs are known to interact with Oxycodone:

  • 215 major drug interactions (779 brand and generic names)
  • 398 moderate drug interactions (1547 brand and generic names)
  • 3 minor drug interactions (7 brand and generic names)

A total of 712 drugs are known to interact with Tramadol:

  • 318 major drug interactions (1226 brand and generic names)
  • 391 moderate drug interactions (1571 brand and generic names)
  • 3 minor drug interactions (7 brand and generic names)
Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
  • Do not use alcohol or medications that contain alcohol while you are receiving treatment with... 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

February 19, 1968

October 26, 1998

March 03, 1995
WADA Class View classifications
More Information
Patient Resources
Professional Resources
Related Treatment Guide

1 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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