Norco vs. Lortab: Differences & Side Effects (2024)

  • Are Lortab and Norco the Same Thing?
  • What Are Possible Side Effects of Norco?
  • What Are Possible Side Effects of Lortab?
  • What is Norco?
  • What is Lortab?
  • What Drugs Interact With Norco?
  • What Drugs Interact With Lortab?
  • How Should Norco Be Taken?
  • How Should Lortab Be Taken?

Are Lortab and Norco the Same Thing?

Norco (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen) and Lortab (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen) are combinations of an opioid analgesic and antitussive (cough suppressant) and a non-narcotic pain reliever (analgesic) used to treat moderate to severe pain.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Norco?

Norco is available in generic form. Side effects of Norco include:

  • anxiety,
  • dizziness,
  • drowsiness,
  • lightheadedness,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • upset stomach,
  • constipation,
  • headache,
  • mood changes,
  • blurred vision,
  • ringing in your ears, or
  • dry mouth.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Lortab?

Common side effects of Lortab include:

  • drowsiness,
  • anxiety,
  • dizziness,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • upset stomach,
  • constipation,
  • headache,
  • mood changes,
  • blurred vision,
  • ringing in your ears,
  • dry mouth, and
  • unclear thinking.

What is Norco?

Norco is a strong prescription medicine is indicated for the relief of moderate to moderately severe pain.

What is Lortab?

Lortab (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen) is a combination pain reliever containing an opiate (narcotic) pain reliever, hydrocodone and the non-narcotic pain reliever acetaminophen, used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

What Drugs Interact With Norco?

Norco, like all narcotics, may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery; patients should be cautioned accordingly.

Alcohol and other CNS depressants may produce an additive CNS depression, when taken with this combination product, and should be avoided.

Hydrocodone may be habit-forming. Patients should take the drug only for as long as it is prescribed, in the amounts prescribed, and no more frequently than prescribed.

What Drugs Interact With Lortab?

Lortab may interact with alcohol, other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing, antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, atropine, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, glycopyrrolate, mepenzolate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medications, bronchodilators, or irritable bowel medications.

How Should Norco Be Taken?

Dosage should be adjusted according to the severity of the pain and the response of the patient. However, it should be kept in mind that tolerance to hydrocodone can develop with continued use and that the incidence of untoward effects is dose related.

The usual adult dosage is one or two tablets every four to six hours as needed for pain. The total daily dosage should not exceed 8 tablets.

How Should Lortab Be Taken?

Lortab 2.5 mg/325 mg

  • The usual adult dosage is 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed for pain. The total daily dose of acetaminophen should not exceed 4 grams.

Lortab is available as an elixir and a tablet for oral use. The usual adult dosage of Lortab is one tablet every four to six hours as needed for pain. Lortab may interact with alcohol, products that contain acetaminophen, other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing (other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, or muscle relaxers), antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, atropine, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, glycopyrrolate, mepenzolate, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medications, bronchodilators, or irritable bowel medications. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.

Disclaimer

All drug information provided on RxList.com is sourced directly from drug monographs published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Any drug information published on RxList.com regarding general drug information, drug side effects, drug usage, dosage, and more are sourced from the original drug documentation found in its FDA drug monograph.

Drug information found in the drug comparisons published on RxList.com is primarily sourced from the FDA drug information. The drug comparison information found in this article does not contain any data from clinical trials with human participants or animals performed by any of the drug manufacturers comparing the drugs.

The drug comparisons information provided does not cover every potential use, warning, drug interaction, side effect, or adverse or allergic reaction. RxList.com assumes no responsibility for any healthcare administered to a person based on the information found on this site.

As drug information can and will change at any time, RxList.com makes every effort to update its drug information. Due to the time-sensitive nature of drug information, RxList.com makes no guarantees that the information provided is the most current.

Any missing drug warnings or information does not in any way guarantee the safety, effectiveness, or the lack of adverse effects of any drug. The drug information provided is intended for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for medical advice.

If you have specific questions regarding a drug’s safety, side effects, usage, warnings, etc., you should contact your doctor or pharmacist, or refer to the individual drug monograph details found on the FDA.gov or RxList.com websites for more information.

You may also report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA by visiting the FDA MedWatch website or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.

References

RxList. Norco Side Effects Drug Center.
https://www.rxlist.com/ultram-side-effects-drug-center.htm
RxList. Lortab Side Effects Drug Center.
https://www.rxlist.com/lortab-drug.htm#medguide

Norco vs. Lortab: Differences & Side Effects (2024)

FAQs

Are Lortab and Norco the same? ›

Both Lortab and Norco contain hydrocodone (an opioid painkiller) and acetaminophen (a non-opioid pain reliever) Lortab only comes in a liquid form while Norco only comes in a tablet form. There are other brand name and generic products which contain hydrocodone and acetaminophen as active ingredients.

What is the difference between Norco and hydrocodone? ›

Norco is a combination medication that contains hydrocodone (an opioid) and acetaminophen (an analgesic). It's used to manage pain for people who've tried non-opioid medications but haven't gotten enough relief. Norco (hydrocodone / acetaminophen) is a tablet that's taken by mouth.

What drug is Norco similar to? ›

They work by targeting opioid receptors in the brain to block the feeling of pain.
  • OxyContin (Oxycodone)
  • Vicodin, Norco and Lortab (Hydrocodone with Acetaminophen)
  • Percocet (Oxycodone with Acetaminophen)
  • Tramadol.

What pain pill is better than hydrocodone? ›

Both hydrocodone and oxycodone are very similar and effective in how they treat pain. However, some believe that oxycodone is a bit stronger. Both drugs are highly addictive, even when taking the correct, prescribed dosage.

Which is stronger, Percocet or Norco? ›

One study by James P. Zacny and Sandra Gutierrez from the University of Chicago found that Percocet is 1.5 times stronger than Norco. However, both Percocet and Norco are very potent pain relievers, with several other studies finding little to no difference between them in terms of potency.

What is Norco without Tylenol called? ›

Zohydro ER was approved by the FDA in October 2013, making it the first such therapy without acetaminophen. Overdoses of acetaminophen over long periods cause liver injury.

What kind of pain is Norco good for? ›

This combination medication is used to relieve moderate to severe pain. It contains an opioid pain reliever (hydrocodone) and a non-opioid pain reliever (acetaminophen). Hydrocodone works in the brain to change how your body feels and responds to pain.

Is tramadol or Norco better for pain? ›

Researchers found that hydrocodone/acetaminophen was significantly more effective than tramadol. A double-blind study published in 2008 compared the effects of hydrocodone/acetaminophen and tramadol in 118 people with chronic cancer pain. Both groups experienced similar levels of pain relief.

What are some side effects of hydrocodone? ›

Hydrocodone can cause drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, constipation, urinary retention and in higher amounts, depressed respiration. Long term use can lead to dependence and addiction. Withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, muscle and bone pain, insomnia, diarrhea, and vomiting.

What happened to Lortab? ›

The Lortab brand name has been discontinued in the U.S. If generic versions of this product have been approved by the FDA, there may be generic equivalents available.

What are the safest painkillers? ›

Acetaminophen is generally considered safer than other pain relievers. It doesn't cause side effects such as stomach pain and bleeding. However, taking more than the recommended dose or taking acetaminophen with alcohol increases the risk of kidney damage and liver failure over time.

Why was Vicodin discontinued? ›

The FDA made this decision because of the observed toxicity of the acetaminophen component in the mix. In other words, acetaminophen has been observed to be very toxic to the liver, with life-threatening effects. The order also caused Vicodin or hydrocodone/acetaminophen to become a generic product.

What is the best pain pill on the market? ›

Naproxen. Naproxen (Aleve) is the most powerful anti-inflammatory pain reliever available without a prescription. It is especially effective for sprains, sunburns and arthritis and other conditions. Similar doses of Naproxen tend to last longer than other non-prescription pain relievers.

What is the new pain drug that is not addictive? ›

To avoid addiction, many doctors, patients and health authorities have sought an alternative that provides as much relief from pain without creating the dependence on use. Vertex's drug, code-named VX-548, belongs to a new class of medicines that targets molecular mechanisms involved in feeling pain.

What are the top 5 strongest painkillers? ›

Stronger than Morphine
  • Fentanyl (Duragesic)
  • Oxymorphone (Opana ER, Numorphan)
  • Hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo, Contin)
  • Heroin (diamorphine)
  • Levorphanol (Levo-Dromoran)
  • Methadone (Dolophine, Methadone)
  • Oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone)
  • Morphine (Astramorph, Avinza, Kadian)
Jun 12, 2024

What is the generic name for a Lortab? ›

There are several hundred brand name and generic hydrocodone products marketed, most of which are combination products. The most frequently prescribed combination is hydrocodone and acetaminophen (Vicodin®, Lortab®).

What is the generic for Norco? ›

Vicodin and Norco were initially marketed as brand-name drugs but are now primarily prescribed as their generic versions (hydrocodone-acetaminophen) in varying dosage forms and strengths.

Is oxycodone the same as Norco? ›

Are Oxycodone and Norco the Same Thing? Norco (hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen) and oxycodone both contain an opioid analgesic and antitussive (cough suppressant) and are used to treat moderate to fairly severe pain. Norco also contains acetaminophen, a non-narcotic pain reliever (analgesic).

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