Norco vs. Oxycodone

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).

Brand names of oxycodone include Oxycontin, Roxicodone, and Xtampza ER.

Side effects of Norco and oxycodone that are similar include anxiety, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, stomach or abdominal pain or upset, blurred vision or other vision problems, or dry mouth.

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.

Common side effects of Oxycodone include:

• constipation,
• nausea,
• stomach pain,
• loss of appetite,
• vomiting,
• sleepiness,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• weakness,
• itching,
• headache,
• dry mouth,
• sweating, and
• decreases in the ability to feel pain.

Tell your doctor if you experience serious side effects of Oxycodone including

• respiratory depression,
• apnea (stopped breathing),
• respiratory arrest,
• circulatory depression,
• hypotension (low blood pressure),
• shock, and
• death.

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

Oxycontin (oxycodone hydrochloride) is an opioid drug used for the management of moderate to severe pain, usually for an extended time period. Oxycontin is not an "as needed for pain (PRN) drug." Oxycontin is available as a generic drug.

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.

Oxycodone 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, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), antidepressants, methscopolamine, scopolamine, bladder or urinary medications, or irritable bowel medications.

Oxycodone may also interact with mixed agonist/antagonist analgesics, macrolide antibiotics, azole-antifungals, protease inhibitors, rifampin, and cardiovascular drugs (including amiodarone and quinidine).

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.

Oxycodone hydrochloride is available as controlled-release tablets in strengths of 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 60, 80, and 160 mg tablets (60 mg and above used only for opioid tolerant patients). The tablets must be swallowed whole because broken or chewed tablets release the drug too rapidly and because Oxycodone is rapidly adsorbed, too concentrated levels will be present in the body which can lead to death. Oxycodone may interact with other narcotic pain medications, sedatives, tranquilizers, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, other medicines that can make you sleepy or slow your breathing, pentazocine, nalbuphine, butorphanol, or buprenorphine. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. This opioid is often the drug of choice for addictive use and can easily lead to dependency. Some patients may develop tolerance for Oxycodone and need to be slowly weaned off the drug. Safety has not been established in children under age 18; caution or avoidance is suggested in pregnant and breastfeeding women as infants can be born with opioid tolerance and depressed respirations. In addition, low concentrations of Oxycodone have been found in breast milk.