Norco vs Tramadol: Which Pain Reliever Is Right for You?
Choosing an effective pain reliever to provide you with relief may seem easier said than done. There is a wide variety of options available for you to choose from. All pain relievers consist of Opioids, which bind to the receptor and provide relief. Norco and Tramadol are two opioid analgesics that are widely recommended by doctors these days. They are quite a bit similar to each other and maybe often mistaken for one drug. But you should be very careful while choosing between these two, because although they appear to be similar, but if altered by mistake can be deadly enough to cost you life. This blog focuses on Norco vs. Tramadol to provide you with detailed insights into how and why these drugs differ.
Differentiating Norco And Tramadol: Formulations, Dosage, Interactions, & Street Names
What is Norco?
The doctor prescribes Norco to get relief from pain. This drug is made by combining Hydrocodone Bitartrate and Acetaminophen. The Hydrocodone helps to bind to the Opioid receptor to alleviate pain signals, and Acetaminophen enhances the effects of relief. Norco is mostly used when other Opioids have failed to do their work. It is classified under the category of Schedule II drugs because it possesses a high risk of addiction and dependency. There are several side effects noticed in individuals using Norco. They are:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Rash
- Swelling
- Serotonin syndrome
What Is Tramadol?
The opioid Tramadol is given to patients for their pain, ranging from moderate to severe. Like other Opioids, Tramadol also binds to the opioid receptors and provides pain relief. This drug is not advised to be used in children younger than 12 years of age. Tramadol can increase dependency in individuals taking it, so it is placed in the category of Schedule IV drugs. The various side effects of Tramadol include:
- Constipation
- Dizziness
- Light headedness
- Weakness
- Stomach upset
- Hallucinations
- Allergy
- Seizures
- Rashes
- Fatigue
Is Norco and Tramadol The Same?
Norco and Tramadol can’t possibly be similar to each other. Although they belong to the same group of drugs but that one property does not define their entire character. Both these drugs have their own level of dosage, different formulations, and a few other characteristics that are not similar between them. If they had both been similar, then there would have been no reason for naming them as two different drugs. So, take the exact drug as your doctor has prescribed for you, and do not get confused between the two.
What Is The Difference Between Norco and Tramadol?
As discussed above that Norco and Tramadol are two different drugs and have very less similarities between them. So, now we will be looking into all the factors that differentiate Norco and Tramadol from each other, which will be helpful for choosing the drug.
Formulations
Formulations are the available forms of the medicine in the market. Each of the forms comes in different strengths and must be taken accordingly.
Norco
- Norco is available as a tablet for administration, which can be taken with or without food.
- The available strengths of Norco tablets are 10 mg, 15 mg, 20 mg, 30 mg, 40 mg, and 50 mg.
Tramadol
- Tramadol is available in the form of tablets, capsules, and solutions.
- The strength of standard tablets and capsules of Tramadol is available at 50 mg.
Onset of Action and Half-Life
Onset is the time from when the drug starts to show its effect after taking it, and half-life refers to the total time taken by the drug to reduce its amount by half in the body.
Norco
- Onset: The effect of Norco can be noticed in the body after 10 to 20 minutes of the last dosage intake.
- Half-life: Norco takes around 3 to 4 hours to eliminate its dosage into half.
Tramadol
- Onset: Tramadol seems to start its effect in the body after 30 to 60 minutes of intake.
- Half-life: It takes around 6 hours for Tramadol to be reduce in to half of its original dosage.
Dosage Of Norco vs Tramadol
The dosage of each of the drugs is completely subjective. The doctor administers the dosages according to the conditions of the patient. The initial amount is quite small, and the doctor modifies it later according to the way the body is reacting to the drug.
Norco Doses
- The adult dose for Norco is 2.5 to 10 mg taken every 4 to 6 hours.
- For individuals with opioid intolerance, the dose is 10 to 20 mg every 12 to 24 hours.
Tramadol Doses
- For immediate-release formulations, the starting dose is 25 mg once a day.
- In the case of extended-release, the initial dose is 100 mg once a day, which can be increased up to 300 mg per day.
Which Is Stronger, Tramadol or Norco?
Norco is considered to be stronger than Tramadol. The reason behind this is the presence of Hydrocodone in Norco. The potency of Hydrocodone is much more than that of Tramadol, as a result of which it belongs to the category of Schedule II drug, whereas Tramadol comes under Schedule IV drug. Due to this high potency, Norco is highly misused by individuals as a source of entertainment.
Drug Interactions
Several drugs cannot be combined with Norco or Tramadol because they will result in an interaction that would be very harmful to the body. Let’s see the drugs that can cause interactions if mixed with Norco or Tramadol.
Drug That Interacts With Norco
Drug Interactions of Tramadol
- Bupropion
- Fluoxetine
- Paroxetine
- Ketoconazole
- Clarithromycin
- Gabapentin
- Xanax
- Ambien
- Tizanidine
- Benadryl
- Oxycodone
- Hydrocodone
Street Names
Certain drugs comes under the category of controlled substances, which makes them illegal to sell without a license. Due to this, some drug dealers try to sell them illegally to drug addicts for money and by altering the names of drugs. Those altered names are called street names, which are a common source of communication between buyers and sellers.
Street Name For Norco
- Hydros
- Norco
- V-itamin
- Vic
- Vike or Vikes
- Watson-387
Street Name For Tramadol
- Chill pills
- Trammies
- Ultras
- Tramal
- Trams
- Dollies
Can You Take Norco and Tramadol Together?
You must be aware of the fact that taking Norco and Tramadol together poses a high risk of sedation and overdosing on opioids. Both drugs are not compatible with each other and hence combining them would result in Norco and Tramadol interactions which would be harmful fro the body. Both drugs can cause severe respiratory depression and would shorten the intake of Oxygen. Consequently, the increased sedation may even lead to coma. Combining Norco and Tramadol would ultimately lead to overdosing on Opioids, which would result in certain side effects like:
- Pinpoint pupils
- Unconsciousness or unresponsiveness
- Limp body
- Cold, clammy, or bluish skin
- Gurgling or choking sounds
Alternatives To Norco and Tramadol
There are several other options available in the market that you can use to get relief in case Norco or Tramadol doesn’t suit your body. Let’s see those alternatives.
Alternatives To Norco
- Ibuprofen
- Tylenol
- Aspirin
- Naproxen
- Celebrex
- Cymbalta
- Pregabalin
- Tramadol
Alternatives To Tramadol
- Buprenorphine
- Cymbalta
- Naproxen
- Celebrex
- Hydrocodone
- Dilaudid
- Oxycodone
- Percocet
- Tylenol
- Lidoderm
- Feldene
Conclusion
At last, we can conclude that Norco and Tramadol are undoubtedly very effective pain relievers. Before choosing between any of them, you should definitely consult your doctor and ask for their expert advice on which drug to choose. Additionally, make sure to stick to the dosages mentioned by your doctor and do not ever overdose on them or try to combine them. If you feel any bit of discomfort while taking the drugs, ask your doctor to provide you with alternatives or to change your doses. Do not panic and remain calm and relaxed to help your body heal faster.