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Norco Drug Center

Norco (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen) is an opioid analgesic and antitussive (cough suppressant) that is combined with acetaminophen and used to treat moderate to fairly severe pain. All strengths of Norco are available as a generic combined with acetaminophen. The most frequent side effects of Norco are lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and sedation. When first taking Norco, the patient should not drive or do other tasks that require good concentration and focus to avoid harming themselves or others.

Norco is supplied in tablet forms with strengths of 7.5 or 10 mg of hydrocodone bitartrate combined with 325 mg of acetaminophen. The daily dose for both strengths is one tablet every 4 to 6 hours as needed for pain. No more than 6 tablets should be taken over 24 hours. Short treatment (less than a week) usually does not cause patient's to become dependent on the drug, develop tolerance, or develop an opioid withdrawal syndrome. Longer constant use may allow these serious side effects to develop. Some patients, especially if they exceed the recommended doses, can experience respiratory depression and death. Most medications that depress the central nervous system can enhance the effects of Norco (antihistamines, narcotics, anti-anxiety medications and alcohol); this enhancement may cause respiratory depression so doses of Norco. There are no studies that suggest Norco is safe to use in pregnancy or in pediatric patients; however, pregnant women taking Norco regularly will produce an infant likely to be opioid dependent and may have respiratory depression. Studies with lactating women taking Norco are lacking so the safety is at best, questionable. Although the above is written about Norco, readers should be aware that over 250 different drugs are available that have the same two (or more) combinations of drugs as Norco and thus have a similar drug profile.

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