WHAT IS NORCO?

A narcotic pain reliever, NORCO is the brand name for a combination of hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. Available dosages are 5 mg, 7.5 mg and 10 mg of hydrocodone, and 325 mg of acetaminophen. The drug is also marketed under trade names including Lortab, Lorcet, Vicodin and Zydone. NORCO comes in tablet form for oral administration. The opioid analgesic can also be used to suppress a chronic cough. Hydrocodone and other opiates are thought to work on opioid receptors in the central nervous system. In addition to treating moderate to moderately severe pain, NORCO can cause drowsiness, mental fogginess and changes in mood.

WARNINGS AND SIDE EFFECTS

NORCO labeling warnings say hydrocodone can produce respiratory depression and irregular breathing in sensitive patients or at high doses. Also, because hydrocodone can be habit-forming, patients should take NORCO in the prescribed amount, only for as long as it is prescribed. Drowsiness can occur, so people should be cautious when driving or performing other tasks that require them to be alert. Elderly and sick patients should also take caution when using NORCO. According to the manufacturer, side effects include:

*Lightheadedness
*Dizziness
*Nausea
*Vomiting
*Sedation
*Lethargy
*Anxiety
*Fear
*Dysphoria
*Constipation
*Urinary retention

ABUSE, DEPENDENCE AND OVERDOSE

NORCO is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance and has the potential for abuse and dependence. Psychic and physical addiction, along with tolerance, can develop with repeated use of narcotic drugs. Tolerance occurs when increasingly more and more of a drug needs to be taken to produce the same effects. Overdoses of both hydrocodone and acetaminophen can be potentially fatal, according to Norco labeling information. Signs to look for in a patient who has overdosed include severe respiratory depression, stupor, coma, clammy skin, circulatory collapse and cardiac arrest.

ILLICIT USE OF PAINKILLERS AND TREATMENT OPTIONS

Because opiate drugs can lead to addiction and abuse, they should be taken only as prescribed and never shared. The black market for painkillers makes drugs like NORCO a hot commodity. Illicit use of NORCO and other narcotics can be dangerous. Treatment options are available for people who need to find safe, medically supervised detox programs. In-patient and out-patient programs are available for detox and rehabilitation. Rapid detox programs have also been gaining ground in the medical field. Supervised in a hospital setting, rapid detox can rid patients of their dependence, often bypassing the very painful withdrawal phase while under light anesthesia.