Hydrocodone vs Norco Pain Relief: Understanding The Similarities and Differences

There is a wide variety of drugs available in the group of opioids to provide us with relief from pain. Hydrocodone is one such drug that belongs to the same family and is quite effective against pain. This drug can be used alone or combined with another drug. One such famous combination product of Hydrocodone is Norco, which also has the same purpose as that of Hydrocodone. But you might find it confusing which one to choose among these two for your pain. This blog, Hydrocodone vs Norco, will help to clear all your confusion by providing an optimal solution.

Differentiating Hydrocodone And Norco: Key Difference Between Doses, Potency, & Risks

Overview Of Hydrocodone and Norco

Hydrocodone belongs to the group of Opioids and is used to provide relief from pain. It’s sometimes even used as a cough suppressant. It is provided to people facing severe pain by combining with Acetaminophen. Another combination with homatropine methylbromide helps to provide relief from cough. There are several cases of misuse of Hydrocodone due to its high potency. This drug can even increase the rate of dependency in individuals who use it as part of their prescription.

Combining Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen gives us Norco, which is well known for providing relief from moderate to severe pain. Both drug have their unique feature which contributes towards Norco’s effectiveness. The presence of Hydrocodone helps in altering the pain. Acetaminophen acts as a Hydrocodone enhancer, meaning it enhances its effect by providing extra relief. The presence of Hydrocodone also has its own demerit because it increases the potency of Norco, which is often misused by individuals.

Is Hydrocodone And Norco The Same Thing?

Since Norco is one of the combination products of Hydrocodone, people might confuse between the two and consider Hydrocodone and Norco as a single product. But this is not the case, because Hydrocodone is found as a whole and belongs to the category of opioids, while Norco is a brand name of the combination medication.

What Is The Difference Between Norco and Hydrocodone?

As we discussed, Hydrocodone and Norco are not the same, so there must be certain factors that make them apart from each other. The factors such as dosages, schedule category, formulations, and drug classes contribute to the differences. Now, we will discuss them in detail.

Doses of Norco vs Hydrocodone

The doses of Hydrocodone and Norco are highly individualized. They are designed according to the requirements of an individual and hence must not be altered.

Hydrocodone Doses

• The initial recommended dose of Hydrocodone for adults is 2.5 mg to 10 mg, which must be taken every 4 to 6 hours as per the requirement.
• The doses can be increased for up to 10 mg based on the condition.

Norco Doses

Norco is available in various strengths, and the doses are given according to the strength.

• The initial dose for the 2.5 mg and 5 mg tablets is one tablet every four to six hours.
• For 7.5 mg, the dose is one tablet every four hours.
• The initial dose for 10 mg is one tablet every four to six hours.

Now, let’s look into some more factors in tabulation format for a more concise understanding.

Factors	Hydrocodone	Norco
Active Ingredient	hydrocodone bitartrate	Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen
Available Formulation	Tablets, Capsules, Solutions, and Syrup	Tablets and Solutions
Onset	10 to 30 minutes	10 to 30 minutes
Half-life	4 hours	3 hours
Potential for abuse	High	Less than Hydrocodone
Cost	Costly	Cheaper

Which Is Stronger, Hydrocodone or Norco?

Norco, as we have already seen, is a combination product, and its strength also depends upon the amount of Hydrocodone content. Whereas Hydrocodone itself is a whole opioid, so its potency is a lot higher. The composition of Hydrocodone is also less than Acetaminophen in Norco. So, we can say that Hydrocodone is much stronger than Norco.

Drug Interactions

Certain drugs must not be mixed with either Hydrocodone or Norco to avoid having major interaction between them. Let’s discuss them to avoid mixing them to prevent any bad effects from happening.

Drug Interaction of Hydrocodone

• Adderall
• Ambien
• Benadryl
• Celebrex
• Cymbalta
• Flexeril
• Lasix
• Lexapro
• Lyrica
• Metoprolol Succinate ER
• Metoprolol Tartrate
• Xanax
• Zofran
• Zoloft
• Zyrtec

Norco Interaction

• tizanidine
• Tramadol
• Xanax
• Metoprolol
• lisinopril
• Losartan
• Gabapentin
• Lyrica
• baclofen
• Clonazepam
• Ambien
• amlodipine

Side Effects of Hydrocodone vs Norco

Every individual taking drugs has to face certain side effects. These can sometimes be an indication that the drug is working well in the body. If these effects start to hinder your daily life, then it is a matter of concern and requires a visit to the doctor.

Common Side Effects of Hydrocodone

• Anxiety
• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diziness
• Drowsiness
• Light headedness

Common Side Effects of Norco

• Headache
• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Dizziness
• Stomach pain
• Anxiety
• Sedation
• Vomiting

Can You Take Hydrocodone and Norco Together?

No, it is not recommended to take Hydrocodone and Norco together because this will result in overdosing on Hydrocodone, which is very harmful. This overdosing can cause sedation and various other side effects, such as:

• Breathing issues
• Change in the colour of the lips and nails
• Drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness
• Weak pulse
• Liver failure

Alternatives To Hydrocodone and Norco

If you are not able to take Hydrocodone or Norco for a certain reason, then there are other alternative options available for you. These will be equally effective and act in the same way in providing relief.

Hydrocodone alternatives

• Celebrex
• Advil
• Ibuprofen
• Naproxen
• Cymbalta
• Gabapentin
• Pregabalin
• Oxycodone
• Tramadol
• Buprenorphine

Norco alternatives

• Tylenol
• Cymbalta
• Pregabalin
• Gabapentin
• Tramadol
• Oxycodone
• Buprenorphine
• Dilaudid
• Morphine

Conclusion

At the end of this blog, we can conclude that both Hydrocodone and Norco are very efficient for pain relief. Although it may appear to be similar for their ingredients, this is not the case, and they are different. Choosing the appropriate drug is purely based on your health condition, for which the doctor will prescribe after various considerations. If you feel any discomfort, then contact your healthcare provider immediately and take appropriate measures. Be safe and follow all the guidelines to heal faster.