What is Norco?
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 treat severe and persistent pain that requires an opioid pain reliever and that cannot be adequately treated with other options, including immediate-release opioid medications.
Limitations of use for opioids
- Norco contains an opioid analgesic; it carries the risks of addiction, abuse, misuse, overdose, and death, which can occur at any dosage or duration and persist over the course of therapy, Therefore, it should only be used in patients for whom alternative treatment options are ineffective, not tolerated, or would be otherwise inadequate to provide sufficient management of pain.
- Norco is not indicated as an as-needed (prn) pain relief.
Norco is a Schedule II (CII) controlled substance; therefore, it has a high potential for abuse, with a risk of psychological or physical dependence, but has a currently accepted medical use.
Before taking Norco
You should not use Norco if you are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or hydrocodone, or if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other narcotic medications.
Do not use Norco if you have taken an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, and tranylcypromine.
Some medicines can interact with hydrocodone and cause a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Be sure your doctor knows if you also take medicine for depression, mental illness, Parkinson’s disease, migraine headaches, serious infections, or prevention of nausea and vomiting. Ask your doctor before making any changes in how or when you take your medications.
You should not use this medicine if you have:
- severe asthma or breathing problems; or
- a blockage in your stomach or intestines.
To make sure Norco is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- breathing problems, sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
- liver disease;
- a drug or alcohol addiction, opioid overdose, or mental health problems;
- kidney disease;
- a head injury or seizures;
- urination problems; or
- problems with your thyroid, pancreas, or gallbladder.
Norco is more likely to cause breathing problems in older adults and people who are severely ill, malnourished, or otherwise debilitated.
How should I take Norco?
Take Norco exactly as prescribed. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain, or if your pain gets worse or you feel more sensitive to pain.
Hydrocodone may be habit-forming, even at regular doses. Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE OF NARCOTIC MEDICINE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Selling or giving away Norco is against the law.
If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to safely stop using Norco.
Store Norco at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of the amount of medicine used from each new bottle. Hydrocodone is a drug of abuse and you should be aware if anyone is using your medicine improperly or without a prescription. Dispose of any expired, unwanted, or unused medicine by promptly flushing it down the toilet if a drug take-back option is not readily available.
Always check your bottle to make sure you have received the correct pills (same brand and type) of medicine prescribed by your doctor.
Dosing information
Usual Adult Dose of Norco for Pain
Recommended dose Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-5 mg: 1 to 2 tablets orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed, maximum of 8 tablets in 24 hours
Maximum dose:
Acetaminophen-hydrocodone 300 mg-5 mg: 8 tablets daily
Comments:
Dosage should be adjusted according to severity of the pain and the response of the patient. Tolerance to hydrocodone can develop with continued use and the incidence of side effects is dose related.
What happens if I overdose ?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222. A hydrocodone overdose can be fatal, especially in a child or other person using the medicine without a prescription. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, pinpoint pupils, slow breathing, or no breathing.
Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone or nalmefene (medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times. A person caring for you can give the naloxone or nalmefene if you stop breathing or don’t wake up. Your caregiver must still get emergency medical help and may need to perform CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) on you while waiting for help to arrive.
Overdose rescue medicines can differ in how they are given, how strong they are, who can use them, and how long they last. Your doctor or pharmacist should help you choose the right one and explain how to use it.
Anyone can buy naloxone from a pharmacy or local health department. Make sure any person caring for you knows where you keep naloxone and how to use it.
