Tapentadol Vs Oxycodone - Which is better for the Management of Pain
james turner
An overview on Pain and Painkillers
The International Society for the Study of Pain has defined pain as 'an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with or resembling association with actual or potential tissue damage. Pain, in simple terms, is a symptom of an underlying condition or sign of an inflammation that can happen anywhere in the body.
Pain is the sign sent by the body when something is not right with it. The perception of pain varies from person to person, depending on the nerve fibers of the body.
Painkillers or analgesics are a group of medications used for pain relief. Painkillers can be Acetaminophens, NSAIDs, Opioids or Benzodiazepines, depending on their mode of action and the additional effects on the body.
Types of pain
Pain based on its origin and effects can be divided into five types:-
1) Acute Pain
Acute pain is a short-lasting intense pain caused by cuts, bruises and fractures, infections, and labor pain. Acute pain can be characterized by sharp pain or stabbing pain. It disappears as soon as the underlying situation causing the pain has been treated.
2) Chronic Pain
Chronic pain, unlike acute pain, sends pain signals to the brain even after the underlying conditions have been treated. Headache, lower back pain, Post-surgical or post-traumatic pain and arthritic pain are some common examples of chronic pain.
3) Neuropathic, Nociceptive and Radicular pain
Neuropathic pain is the pain caused by the nervous system that is damaged or defective. Post Herpetic neuralgia, peripheral neuropathy and some components of cancer pain are examples of neuropathic pain.
Pain caused by a kind of injury, be it a dental procedure or a sports injury, is called nociceptive pain. It is acute and goes away as the affected body part heals.
Radicular pain is a spinal cord related pain occurring from the back and hips into the spine. It usually occurs due to compression of the spinal cord and is accomplished by numbness, tingling and muscle weakness.
Role of Tapentadol in management of pain
Tapentadol is an opioid pain medication used in cases of musculoskeletal pain. Musculoskeletal pain is the pain arising in the musculoskeletal system consisting of the joints, ligaments, muscles, nerves and structures supporting the limbs and neck. Musculoskeletal pain can arise from sprains, the ligament pulls, injuries, accidents and surgeries involving the musculoskeletal system.
Tapentadol works in 2 ways for providing pain relief. It works on the mu-opioid receptors along with causing noradrenaline reuptake inhibition. The dual effect results in an increased level of extracellular norepinephrine to suppress the sensation of pain. You can buy Tapentadol online in USA from a trusted vendor known as BuyTapenta.
Role of Oxycodone in management of pain
Oxycodone is another opioid analgesic used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain. It is used in a variety of conditions, especially in paroxysmal spontaneous pain. A paroxysmal spontaneous pain is a sudden-onset excruciating pain that occurs without any precipitating event or in response to a trigger stimulus. Oxycodone is also used in the management of post-herpetic neuralgic pain and steady pain cases. Most importantly, it is used to manage cancer-related chronic pain and severe osteoarthritis pain that do not respond to other medications.
Like other Opioids, Oxycodone causes hyperpolarization of the neurons in the Central Nervous System and reduces their excitability. This leads to subduing of the pain pathways and helps in relief from pain.
Strengths and metabolism
Tapentadol is available in strengths of 50mg, 100mg, 150mg, 200mg and 250mg. It is available as immediate-release as well as extended-release tablets. Tapentadol starts working in 30 minutes, after which it stays in the body for a longer period depending on your age, BMI, metabolic activity and duration of using Tapentadol.
Oxycodone is available in strengths of 5mg, 10mg, 15mg, 20mg, 30mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg and 120mg. Oxycodone comes in 5 forms; immediate-release tablet and capsule, extended-release tablet and capsule. Its dosage is decided on the basis of your age, reaction to the first dose, the severity of the condition and other associated conditions.
Fast-acting or immediate-release Oxycodone takes 30-60 minutes to work, but its efficacy wears out in 5-6 hours. Extended-release Oxycodone tablets take 1-2 days to work out, but their effect stays for a much longer time. The Oxycodone in injection form works most quickly and effectively.
Weighing the side-effects
Severe drowsiness and dizziness, confusion, problematic speech and agitation are some of the common side-effects associated with the use of Tapentadol (Aspadol 100mg). It can also lead to seizures and very shallow breathing that should be treated as an emergency and given prompt medical attention.
Nausea, vomiting, constipation and a dry mouth are some of the common side effects of this medication. It can cause weakness, light-headedness, dizziness and drowsiness as well. But these side effects lessen in intensity after a while and, if properly handled, do not cause any serious complications.
Conclusion
In terms of efficacy, strength, variety and use, Oxycodone is better for managing pain. It manages a wide variety of complicated cases of pain and is used in situations where no other painkillers work. Cancer pain is one such dreaded pain that is lessened using Oxycodone. That Tapentadol, with its entire efficacy, does not come close to treating.
Additionally, the side-effects of Oxycodone are simpler than that of Tapentadol and more effectively managed without having to be treated as an emergency. Tapentadol is an essential group of medications used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain. But Oxycodones remain an important group of medications used for effective handling of chronic pain. They should be used wisely and under the recommendation of a doctor for sure.
References
https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB06204
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4018705/
https://paincauses.wordpress.com/2021/06/02/ideal-doses-of-tapentadol-for-moderate-and-chronic-pain
https://thepaincauses.blogspot.com/2021/06/an-overview-of-tapentadol-drug.html
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oxycodone-oral-tablet
https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-2798/oxycontin-oral/details