Norco – Uses, Side Effects, and More
GENERIC NAME(S): HYDROCODONE-ACETAMINOPHEN
Norco contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of hydrocodone..
Norco is used to relieve moderate to moderately severe pain.
Norco may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
WARNINGS
Hydrocodone can slow or stop your breathing. Never use Norco in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. Opioid pain medicine may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share Norco with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.
If you are using a liquid form of this medication, use a medication measuring device to carefully measure the
Do not use Norco if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.
An overdose of acetaminophen can damage your liver or cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).
Stop taking Norco and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling.
Signs and Symptoms of Norco Dependency
As an opioid, Norco is primarily used to relieve pain. When used in low doses, one effect of the drug – same as any opioid – is the general feeling of well-being, which is often what enhances the potential for abuse. Some of the common Norco effects include:
- Feelings of euphoria and well-being
- Nausea and vomiting
- Dizziness and lightheadedness
- Drowsiness or lethargy
- Constipation
- Moderate cognition issues (attention and focus, memory problems, etc.)
Long-term effects of Norco abuse include a full range of physical and psychological problems. Some of the visible signs and symptoms of Norco abuse can include:
- Potential for mental health problems
- Job performance difficulties
- Continuously taking more Norco than prescribed
- Complete relationships havoc
- Using Norco with no prescription
- Display of Norco craving and seeking behavior, like going to different doctors to obtain a prescription
- Building body tolerance (taking higher doses)
- Sickness caused by Norco withdrawal
- Respiratory problems
- Anxiety or irritability
- Liver damage
- Social activities withdrawal
- Hearing loss
- Difficulty urinating
- Heart attack
- Coma and death
Norco abuse, side by side with some other medications or drugs, only increases the danger of overdose and a plethora of negative effects. If you mix Norco with alcohol you may be in grave danger since both of them are central nervous system depressants, hence this combination can lead to respiratory failure, coma, and death.
History of Norco and Current Drug Abuse Trends
In 2014, Norco was changed from a Schedule III to Schedule II drug under the Controlled Substance Act because of the increased rate of addictions the drug has caused annually. Substances in Schedule II come with high abuse potential, leading to severe psychological and physical addiction.
Many Norco users tend to increase their daily dose to eliminate pain, not being aware of the habit-forming properties of the drug. Norco abuse slowly builds tolerance in your body, making you seek even higher doses continually to relieve the same pain.
PRECAUTIONS
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other opioids (such as benzhydrocodone, hydromorphone, morphine, and codeine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
