Need information about Norco

[edsdcs]

I have a essay due for my nursing class, and I have to write a 4 page paper about Norco ( acetaminophen + Hydrocodone). I've found very little information about Norco, especially to write a 4 page paper on it. Does anyone know of any journals or articles on Norco. I've googled but haven't found what I'm looking for. Any leads or information would be very helpful. Thanks!

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

Doesn't norco also have a stronger dose of hydrocodone than vicodin?

Norco has different doses. Vicodin is generally 5 mg hydrocodone, Lortab is generally 10...but both are really interchangeable.

[chenoaspirit, ASN, RN]

Doesnt Norco have less Tylenol in it than Lortab? Im pretty sure it does. That would be less damaging to liver and better for renal patients. Maybe use that angle too? Good luck!

[EmmaG, RN]

Two words:

Double space

:)

[leslie :-D]

Two words:

Double space

:)

and this size font.

leslie

[EmmaG, RN]

No kidding :lol2:

[lionrn]

Different Pt's, different responses.

And of course some MD's have their preferences too...

Generally APAP is a very good general physiologic pain reliever all by itself.

Vicodin and Lortab have higher APAP/hydrocodone ratios per tab, Norco has a lower APAP/hydrocodone ratio per tab.

1. Some Pt's respond better to the stronger hydrocodone buzz of Norco (emotional response is one of the two generally recognized components of pain, ya?).

2. Some Pt's respond very well to APAP, but the differential of a little hydrocodone kick takes off the additional edge of their acute episode pain. Occasionally these Pt's may be prescribed APAP scheduled, sub Vicodin prn.

3. Hepatic load must always be considered with APAP: several pharmacies have given me the guideline: no more than 1 gm per 4 hours sustained, no more than 4 gm per 24 hours sustained. Vicodin ES ii q 6 hrs already exceeds this by over a gram a day. Any other APAP-containing Rx must be included in the equation as well.

4. Especially for longer episodes of more acute pain, Norco may handle the need without challenging the liver, and without escalating medication need to a stronger drug, allowing to taper to APAP as pain resolves.

5. Drug sensitivities are peculiar: some are very sensitive to oxycodone, but do fine with hydrocodone, just because. Others are less effected by oxycodone than hydrocodone (I've seen this less often). Still others can take neither, but do just fine with codeine.

[VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN]

Some recent developments concerning hydrocodone use in children under 6:

...the F.D.A. warned the makers of nearly 200 unapproved prescription medicines containing the pain-and-cough-relief drug hydrocodone that by Oct. 31 they must stop making these products for children under 6.

Makers of all other unapproved hydrocodone products have until Dec. 31 to stop making them.

Hydrocodone is a narcotic that is widely used to treat pain and suppress cough. There are seven F.D.A.-approved prescription cough products containing hydrocodone, and doctors can continue to write prescriptions for those.

The agency’s safety review and its decision to ban unapproved hydrocodone products both result from gradual but significant changes in the standards used for drug approvals.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/29/health/29fda.html?_r=2&th&emc=th&oref=slogin&oref=slogin

[sonja77]

norco has different doses. vicodin is generally 5 mg hydrocodone, lortab is generally 10...but both are really interchangeable.

norco comes as 10/325, 7.5/325 and 5/325

lortab comes as 10/500, 7.5/500, 5/500 and 2.5/500

vicodin comes as 5/500, 7.5/750 (vicodin es), 10/660 (vicodin hp)

those are the most commen hydrocodone/acetaminophen combinations. then there are various others such as lorcet, dolacet, hydrocet, zydone, ...

[BBFRN, BSN, PhD]

norco comes as 10/325, 7.5/325 and 5/325

lortab comes as 10/500, 7.5/500, 5/500 and 2.5/500

vicodin comes as 5/500, 7.5/750 (vicodin es), 10/660 (vicodin hp)

those are the most commen hydrocodone/acetaminophen combinations. then there are various others such as lorcet, dolacet, hydrocet, zydone, ...

yes- that's why i said 'generally,' and that they were 'interchangeable'. most places use vicodin for the 5 mg, and lortab for the 7.5 and 10 mg. either because it's cheaper, or causes less confusion.

the main point that i made earlier is that norco has less acetaminophen (tylenol).

[edsdcs]

Does anyone know of Journal/article websites that I can research for Norco or any acetaminophen/hydrocodone combinations?

[ginger58, ASN, RN]

Also, where I worked Vicodan required a triplicate prescription and Norco didn't. You also might want to put in there about how you have to watch the patient's total Tylenol intake for the day, especially if they're on Tylenol or other drugs with Tylenol in. 4 Grams is usually max and if renal problems 3 Grams per day.

You might look up both components of Norco. You should be able to find a lot in Goodman and Gilman or the US Pharmocapia (sorry, not correct spelling). You might talk to Pharmacists to find out why they think docs order one drug over another--Vicodan vs Norco. I know for myself and from my doc, I found one of the formulations worked better than the other.