What is the difference between lortab and norco

The rest of the medication can vary. That includes things like fillers, coatings, color, flavor and so forth. When you ask what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, that last sentence is your answer. Lortab and Norco are both formulations which include hydrocodone as the primary active ingredient. Hydrocodone is a semi-synthetic opioid medication. What is Lortab? Well, both medications have acetaminophen aka Tylenol as a secondary ingredient. The rest of each table the inactive ingredients may vary, but that has little bearing on the effect of the medicine.

In the United States, hydrocodone is always combined with another non-narcotic pain medication. Acetaminophen he most common choice by far.

Some less common hydrocodone compounds may include ibuprofen Advil or even aspirin instead. If you want to know what is the difference between Lortab and Norco, it helps to be familiar with the medications in this category. The only practical difference between them is the fillers and form the come in.

These are all examples of prescription drugs that include hydrocodone and acetaminophen as the active ingredients. As mentioned, there are also some much less common medications that combine hydrocodone with a different ingredient. Here are some examples of drugs that include hydrocodone and something other than acetaminophen:. Vicodin, Lortab, Norco, Lorcet and Xodol are all medications that combine hydrocodone and acetaminophen.

They are just brand names used by different drug companies for pretty much the same medicine. Each version will include a number which tells you how much of each active ingredient each tablet contains. A Lortab 10 mg — mg tablet has…you guessed it. The smaller number is always the hydrocodone. They are different brands of essentially the same thing.

The filler ingredients will vary a bit. The size, shape and color of the tablets will vary too. Lortab and Norco both contain hydrocodone which is an opioid.

Hydrocodone, a derivative of codeine, works to decrease pain perception by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system. In doing so, it is thought to alter our perception of pain, though the exact mechanism is not known. Acetaminophen, which is the active ingredient in over-the-counter Tylenol formulations, also achieves its analgesic effects through the central nervous system by activating the descending serotonergic pathways.

Vicodin is also a prescription drug that is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. The primary difference between Norco and Vicodin is that Vicodin only contains mg of acetaminophen, instead of mg. Vicodin combines mg of acetaminophen with either 5 mg, 7. Both Norco and Vicodin are oral tablets and have generic forms available. Norco and Vicodin are metabolized by the liver and excreted by the kidneys.

Sign up for Norco price alerts and find out when the price changes! Get price alerts. Norco and Vicodin are each indicated in the treatment of moderate to severe pain for which other non-opioid options have been inadequate.

Due to the potential for abuse and misuse of the drug, it is important that the use of Norco and Vicodin be limited to patients who have tried other pain-relieving options and have inadequate or no relief of symptoms. If the use of opiate pain relievers is deemed necessary, every attempt should be made to limit use to as short-term as possible. Norco and Vicodin are a combination of the same two drugs and vary only by 25 mg in acetaminophen content.

Their efficacy is best understood when compared to other pain management options as their expected efficacy is similar due to content similarities. Prescribers are encouraged to utilize non-opiate or less addictive options prior to prescribing opiates. These drugs were randomized to patients who had mild to moderate pain following a musculoskeletal trauma. This study also found that side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and vomiting were reported at a higher rate in the tramadol group. Only your physician can determine which pain medication is appropriate for you.

Oftentimes, physicians will select a drug based on experience and make dose adjustments or drug changes after observing patient response. Norco and Vicodin are typically covered by both commercial and Medicare prescription plans, though some limitations may apply. The DEA and Centers for Medicare Services recognize the opiate abuse epidemic and its potential effects on our society.

In response, on Jan. There are many facets to this effort to control opiate prescribing and abuse. Medicare Part D beneficiaries who are opiate naive are limited to a seven-day prescription upon an initial fill of an opiate. Opiate naive is defined as not having taken an opiate in the past 60 days. After seven days, if additional medication is needed, prescribers may prescribe longer term.

There are exceptions to these rules, such as hospice and cancer-related care. Some chronic pain diagnoses qualify for prescribing exceptions as well. Many commercial insurance plans have adopted similar limitations for their beneficiaries. Pharmacies may also have specific policies for the filling of opiate medications. Vicodin is usually covered in its generic form by most insurance companies, and by some Medicare Part D plans. Norco and Vicodin have the potential to cause the same side effects due to their similar content.

Side effects related to their effect on the central nervous system include drowsiness, dizziness, and headache. Each patient may experience these adverse effects in varying degrees and it may depend on dose. Opiate pain relievers are known to cause constipation, especially when given for longer periods of time.

Increasing water intake or taking stool softeners may help mitigate this side effect. The following list is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of potential side effects. You should consult with your doctor, pharmacist, or healthcare provider for a complete list of adverse events and medical advice. The drug interaction profiles for Norco and Vicodin are similar due to the fact that they contain the same active ingredients.

The concomitant use of opiates such as Norco and Vicodin with other CNS depressants should be avoided whenever possible. Examples of other CNS depressants include benzodiazepines, other opiate painkillers, and cannabinoid drugs. The use of these medications together can lead to severe respiratory depression, profound sedation, low blood pressure, coma, or death.

The use of serotonergic agents, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors SSRIs , with Norco or Vicodin, can increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. Serotonin syndrome is characterized by increased heart rate, high blood pressure, confusion, and tremors.

Opioid pain relievers may decrease the effects of diuretics through the release of antidiuretic hormone. This can lead to changes in fluid status and blood pressure.