Hydrocodone, the active ingredient in drugs like Norco and Vicodin, and oxycodone, the active ingredient in Percocet and OxyContin, are two of the most popular opioid — or narcotic — analgesics prescribed for pain relief. Tramadol and Vicodin are powerful pain relievers. Find out how they work, how they compare, and why you should take them with caution. Compare Drugs. See how your medications stack up against each other. View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, reviews, prices, FDA alerts, side effects, drug interactions, approval dates, classification, generic availability and more. Tramadol and hydrocodone are two types of potent pain relievers. They are used to treat moderate to severe pain. They should not be taken together unless recommended by your doctor. Tramadol (Ultram, Ultram ER, Conzip) is a drug used to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It works similar to morphine. Tramadol can be highly addictive, and if you stop taking the drug abruptly it may cause withdrawal symptoms. Examples of side effects of tramadol are upset stomach, constipation, and headache, but they usually are. Tramadol and hydrocodone are two types of potent pain relievers called opioid analgesics. They’re often used to treat moderate to severe pain, such as long-term pain related to cancer or other.