Norco - an overview
NORCO belongs to the class of medicines referred to narcotic analagesics. Acetaminophen is not as strong of a pain reliever as hydrocodone and can help to make the benefits of hydrocodone stronger. A combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen is often prescribed to help ease pain that is moderate to severe. Norco is the highest dosage of hydrocodone bitartrate that can be administered in a single tablet. It also has the lowest amount of acetaminophen of all the hydrocodone combination medications out there.
Norco - What it does
Norco contains a combination of hydrocodone and APAP. It is a pain medicine that is prescribed to treat pain that ranges from moderate to moderate severe that is due to dental procedures or injuries. Norco's active ingredients work to ease pain. Hydrocodone is a semi synthetic opioid pain medication. Chemically, it is similar to codeine. Hydrocodone helps to ease pain and ease coughing, but it can also cause mental clouding, changes in the mood and drowsiness. In the US, hydrocodone can only be obtained if it is combined with medications such as acetaminophen.
The common pain reliever Acetaminophen is a fever reducer and pain reliever that is found in over the counter medicines like Tylenol. APAP is the chemical name for Acetaminophen.
These medications combined help to ease pain and are thought to limit the potential for abuse of hydrocodone.
Secondary effects
Seek emergency medical attention if you notice any signs of allergic reactions that include: trouble breathing, swelling of the throat, lips, face or tongue or hives.
Contact your doctor right away if you notice any of the listed more serious secondary effects:
- Slowed heartbeat and/or shallow breathing
- Fainting of feelings of light headedness
- Unusual behaviors or thoughts, disorientation, fear
- Trouble urinating
- Seizures
- Stomach pain, nausea, loss of appetite
- Clay colored stools, dark urine, jaundice or itching
Secondary effects that are less serious may include:
- Feelings of dizziness, drowsiness or anxiety
- Vomiting, mild nausea, constipation, upset stomach
- Changes in the mood, headache
- Blurring of the vision
- Ringing of the ears
- Dryness of the mouth
Generic forms
Watson Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is the maker of Norco, but there are generic forms of this medication available.