pain, oxycodone, tramadol, pharmacist, tonsils, septum, drug Details: Nothing seems to be cutting the pain for my daughter who had tonsils, adenoids and deviated septum work done. Ultram (tramadol) works well for pain. Although it's a little weaker than other opioids, it can still be addictive. Oxycontin (oxycodone) treats moderate to severe pain, but can be habit-forming, especially if used long-term. The table below provides basic information about tramadol, oxycodone, and oxycodone CR. Oxycodone comes in two forms: an immediate-release (IR) tablet and a controlled-release (CR) tablet. Tramadol, oxycodone, and controlled-release oxycodone are drugs used to treat moderate to severe pain. Learn how these drugs are similar and different. Learn how these drugs are similar and different. How does Tramadol work? Everyone naturally has endogenous opioids inside their body, which can bind to special receptors, called opioid receptors, to activate several effects in the body. When an endogenous opioid attaches to the right receptor, it can lead to several effects in the body including: Tramadol is not an opiate as it is not derived from the poppy plant. None the less, tramadol acts on the same receptor sites in the brain as opioid medications and also has antidepressant properties. How does Oxycodone work? Everyone naturally has endogenous opioids inside their body, which can bind to special receptors, called opioid receptors, to activate several effects in the body. When an endogenous opioid attaches to the right receptor, it can lead to several effects in the body including: It is in the same class of opioid narcotics as hydrocodone and oxycodone, but unlike those medications, it is a Schedule IV drug, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration. Most prescription opioid painkillers are Schedule II. Tramadol, under was originally approved as a brand-name medication in 1995; the Food and Drug Administration approved the generic version in 2002. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic (opiate) pain medication. It is synthesized from thebaine, a part of the poppy plant. Tramadol is a schedule IV, man-made (synthetic) pain reliever (analgesic).