Tramadol vs oxycodone. Which is harder on the liver?

[big yellow]

First post here. I was prescribed oxycodone for a little while because of a back injury and now I'm on tramadol. Either way I like the buzz it gives me. The oxycodone was WAY better and preferred. Seems like I take 10mg diazepam with the tramadol to calm down the little anxiety that comes with the tramadol. Didn't need that with the oxy at all.

I was taking up to 15-20mg total oxycodone IR per day
The tramadol is like 250-400mg per day mix between 100 ER and 50mg IR.

I have had a drinking problem over the years. Nothing too serious, but most days it was 4-6 drinks with a day or two each week keeping it around 2-3. I just like craft beer and wine too much. I had a life ins. blood test and some of the enzymes came back really high so my liver is def needing a break. In order to help with me not drinking , i kinda need one of these two drugs although yesterday was my first day of not taking shit for the first time in like 2-3 years prob. Esentially I'm worried about my liver. I have a prescription to tramadol right now, but I'm thinking if tram is harder on the liver I'll go find some oxy...

Is there a big difference in how your liver handles tram vs oxy? And I'm not talking hydrocodone with the acetometaphin only like the oxycodone. Thanks guys.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I'm no expert on opioid pharmacology or liver function by any means but tramadol has a much more complex pharmacology, is more extensively metabolized in the liver and is going to produce more side effects and negative consequences than oxycodone in general (specifically talking about appropriate therapeutic doses here, not getting high off it)

tramadol overdose can cause liver failure, to my knowledge oxy is generally quite easy on the liver it kills you in other ways (one can make the assumption tramadol is harder on the liver)

I'm really hesitant to give advice in this situation, this is my pseudo-educated opinion, but I'm fairly confident oxycodone is going to be the safer drug here.

You have less than 6 drinks per day and have liver issues? Did the doctor specify what the issues were or suggest anything? May I ask how old you are or any other drugs? I was at 18+ drinks per day for years and after some acute damage my liver recovered and is normal now. Luckily our bodies are often resilient but there is always that tipping point of no return)

But the truth is, oxycodone used appropriately (~20mg/day) is not known to cause any significant damage to anyone (if we choose to ignore the addiction/dependence/psychological aspects). It's relatively easy on the body overall compared to other drugs (in therapeutic doses!).

 

[big yellow]

My liver may not be fucked up so I'm not trying to neccessarly imply that, but I need to go in for some blood tests after seeing the doc a few days ago and we can see for sure if there is any problems. I have a few times felt my liver hurting. And after a day of drinking recently (prob 8 ish drinks that day) I feel like my liver was not really in pain but that i did feel it whils sleeping and made it so I couldn't sleep very well so IDK... Just trying to be as safe as possible. I'm 31. Been drinking the 5-6 drinks a day since about 16.

 

[Jabberwocky]

I have a few times felt my liver hurting.

can you describe what this feels like?

Just trying to be as safe as possible. I'm 31. Been drinking the 5-6 drinks a day since about 16.

that's good man, I started even younger and I was 31 when I had my liver damage scare

but yeah to answer your question oxy is really going to be the safer drug in terms of adverse conditions and side effects

I feel like I don't need to say this but it's very addictive, I'm not sure if you're new to it, but just felt like warning you because for most people 20mg doses turn into 40 then 60, then 90, etc.. stay safe

 

[Ganjcat]

I'm no expert on opioid pharmacology or liver function by any means but tramadol has a much more complex pharmacology, is more extensively metabolized in the liver and is going to produce more side effects and negative consequences than oxycodone in general (specifically talking about appropriate therapeutic doses here, not getting high off it)

tramadol overdose can cause liver failure, to my knowledge oxy is generally quite easy on the liver it kills you in other ways (one can make the assumption tramadol is harder on the liver)

I'm really hesitant to give advice in this situation, this is my pseudo-educated opinion, but I'm fairly confident oxycodone is going to be the safer drug here.

You have less than 6 drinks per day and have liver issues? Did the doctor specify what the issues were or suggest anything? May I ask how old you are or any other drugs? I was at 18+ drinks per day for years and after some acute damage my liver recovered and is normal now. Luckily our bodies are often resilient but there is always that tipping point of no return)

But the truth is, oxycodone used appropriately (~20mg/day) is not known to cause any significant damage to anyone (if we choose to ignore the addiction/dependence/psychological aspects). It's relatively easy on the body overall compared to other drugs (in therapeutic doses!).

Did op state they were sure the tabs have no paraceatomal sometimes it's not obvious a discreet, always check the ingredients people!

 

[Jabberwocky]

Did op state they were sure the tabs have no paraceatomal sometimes it's not obvious a discreet, always check the ingredients people!

didn't think of this, good call

@big yellow does your oxy have any other ingredients?

 

[WhitePlaster]

The liver does not normally hurt, an enlarged liver typically affects the body in other ways. That being said, I drink about as much as you do, sometimes more, and at 30 my liver does hint it needs a bit of a break. I agree with the above poster, check the leaflet of your tramadol to see if it contains acetaminophen. Acetaminophen aka paracetamol is hard on the liver.

Tramadol is an atypical opioid, it also acts on the serotonin system, so long-term use of tramadol may be worse than long-term use of oxy.

 

[big yellow]

tramadol hcl is all it says. But I do have some 100 or 150mg (forgot honestly) and Im pretty sure that was just tramadol too. Got those from ecuador when I was there a month or two ago. It would say that right there where it says tramadol right?

 

[OpialiciouslyMe]

Tramadol probably is worse being that it needs to be metabolised first to have most of its effects.
All drugs that get metabolised into the liver require a decreased dosage with liver issues. Opioids are such drugs in general. They're not directly toxic but do rely on the liver to be metabolised.
Never use acetaminophen with alcohol. Both are very taxing for the liver and especially with a liver that's already in bad shape.
Look after your liver... I saw my MIL die of cirrhosis. It's not fun to vomit blood constantly.

 

[Bad Obsession]

When I would drink heavy at wkends I would always take a milk thistle capsule a few hrs before drinking & then another one the nxt day.... its not a 'liver sheild' so to spk by any means but it is good for the liver & protects it a bit. Every little helps....