People deal with pain caused by tissue and nerve damage or other health complications. Acute pain, chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and nociceptive pain are the common types of pain in an individual. It is a very uncomfortable feeling, so it’s important for people to cure it as soon as possible. Norco and Oxycodone are pain relievers that are treated moderately to severely in individuals. This blog provides you with a Norco vs Oxycodone comparison that will help you to choose the right one according to your pain type.
So, let’s start the blog with an introduction to Norco and Oxycodone!
What are Norco and Oxycodone:
Norco and Oxycodone are pharmaceutical drugs and belong to the narcotic analgesics class. These drugs are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and are used to treat moderate or severe pain.
Norco is a combination of two medications, i.e., hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is used in the treatment of moderate to severe pain in humans. Oxyfast, Oxaydo, RoxyBand, Roxicodone, etc are some branded versions of opioid-based Oxycodone medication drugs.
People should use these medication drugs after consulting healthcare professionals or doctors.
Comparison: Norco vs Oxycodone Drugs
Let us compare Norco and Oxycodone drugs on the basis of a few factors.
Uses of Norco and Oxycodone
a) Norco
Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) a pharmaceutical drug, is a combination of two medications that work together in treating pain. Hydrocodone is an opioid pain reliever, and acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain-relieving substance. The latter substance, being an analgesic, inhibits the production of certain chemicals in the body which may cause pain. As a result, pain is got rid of.
b) Oxycodone
It is administered by doctors, and health care experts for the treatment of moderate to severe pain in patients. It is a member of drugs known as opioid analgesics.
Usually, oxycodone can be taken with or without food every 4 to 6 hours, either as required for pain or as regularly scheduled medications.
Dosage Strength:
a) Norco
Dosage is to be given as per the patient’s severity of pain and response. Normally, adult doses are one or two tablets every four to six hours, depending on the pain. The Total dosage for a day should not exceed 8 tablets.
The drug is available in oral tablets as listed below:
- hydrocodone 5 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg
- hydrocodone 7.5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg (Norco 7.5-325 mg)
- hydrocodone 7.5 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg
- hydrocodone 10 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg
- hydrocodone 5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg (Norco 5-325 mg )
- hydrocodone 2.5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg
- hydrocodone 5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg
- hydrocodone 10 mg/acetaminophen 300 mg (Norco 10-325 mg)
- hydrocodone 7.5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg
- hydrocodone 10.5 mg/acetaminophen 325 mg
In addition, oral solution formulation is as follows:
1) Hydrocodone bitartrate 7.5 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg per 15 mL oral solution
b) Oxycodone
In the beginning, minimum doses of Oxycodone are given by healthcare experts for the treatment of severe or moderate pain in patients.
The dosage strengths of Oxycodone are available as follows
The drug comes in the form of oral tablets, solutions, and capsules. Try not to crush or break these medicines before oral consumption.
5 mg and 15 mg are typical doses recommended by healthcare experts. It may be taken with food or as prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Side Effects of Norco and Oxycodone Drugs:
In this section, the side effects that may occur in individuals taking Norco and Oxycodone drugs are listed below:
Norco Side Effects
a) Vomiting
b) Constipating (feeling difficulty in passing stool)
c) Feeling dizzy
d) Nausea (feeling uneasy in the stomach)
e) Vomiting
f) Drowsiness
g) Lightheadedness
Some of the above side effects may decrease on using the medicines over a period of time. If any of the above symptoms get worse or persist for a long time, tell it to your doctor.
Oxycodone Side effects
a) Headache
b) Frequent urge for urination
c) Dry eyes
d) Increased thirst
e) Stomach pain
f) Chest pain
g) Diarrhea
h) Heartbeats becoming slow
i) Weak pulse
j) Drowsiness
Effectiveness of Norco and Oxycodone Drugs
Let us discuss the Oxycodone vs Norco effectiveness drugs below.
1) Norco
As this drug is a combination of two drugs, one being narcotic and the other pain relieving, so they function in lessening pain. These drugs work in your brain to block pain signals. They decrease your ability to feel pain.
2) Oxycodone
Oxycodone is taken orally and is advised to be taken with food. The effects of this drug may be felt as soon as in just thirty to forty minutes. It reaches up to a maximum level in the blood in just one or two hours after taking it. Depending on the person’s health it may take three to four hours to show its effectiveness.
Some people may develop more tolerance to Oxycodone dosages in comparison to others. Different metabolisms also impact the efficacy of the drug.
Precautions and Safety Measures:
1) Norco
a) If you have any type of allergy, then you should discuss it with your doctor before starting this medication, as its use may cause allergic reactions or other health problems.
b) You should tell your doctor or the health care expert about your medical history, like seizures, head injury, breathing problems (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD), and mental or mood disorders (depression, suicidal thoughts).
An overdose of the drug should be avoided as it may lead to severe health hazards.
2) Oxycodone
a) If a patient is suffering from asthma, then he or she should avoid using Oxycodone. You may take the first few doses in a controlled manner on the recommendation of a doctor if needed.
b) For people affected with liver disease, the risk of liver failure increases. This drug can do harm by accumulating in the body, and breathing problems can be an issue.
c) For patients having stomach problems such as constipation and intestinal obstructions, It is advised to avoid these medicines.
d) People infected with prostate enlargement taking acetaminophen-hydrocodone can experience problems, for example, difficulty in urinating.
Normally this drug is taken with food and plenty of water can be drunk to swallow the tablet. Try to avoid crushing the tablet before taking it in the mouth.
Complete the dose and do not discontinue the dose in between without telling the doctor. You may experience some withdrawal symptoms like headaches, irritation, and related symptoms.
Conclusion:
In the above blog, we have seen the Norco vs Oxycodone comparison, as both are recommended by doctors for moderate to severe pain in patients.
These medications are to be taken only on prescription, as an overdose of these medicines can lead to fatal cases.
