The key difference between Norco vs. Vicodin lies in the amount of acetaminophen these opioid-based pain medications contain, as Norco has more acetaminophen than Vicodin (325 mg and 300 mg, respectively).
Keep reading to learn more about the similarities and differences between Norco vs. Vicodin and discover what makes ANR the most effective opioid dependence treatment by far.
What Is Norco, and How Does It Work?
Norco is a pain medication consisting of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is prescribed for moderate-to-severe pain that cannot be controlled with weaker painkillers.
Norco comes as a tablet containing 325 mg of acetaminophen and 2.5–10 mg of hydrocodone. It works by acting on the opioid receptors located throughout the central nervous system (CNS). After ingestion, it quickly attaches to these receptors, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain.
Furthermore, this medication induces intense euphoric and relaxing feelings by triggering a sudden surge of dopamine. These rewarding effects amplify the drug’s potential for misuse and addiction.
Due to a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction, hydrocodone combination products, including Norco, were reclassified from Schedule III to Schedule II controlled substances.
Baylor Scott & White Health researchers found that this rescheduling reduced the number of Norco prescriptions between 34% and 58%, depending on the dosage strength. However, it also led to a dramatic increase in Schedule III and IV opioid pain reliever prescriptions, such as tramadol and codeine products.
What Is Vicodin, and How Does It Work?
Vicodin is an opioid analgesic containing hydrocodone and acetaminophen used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain resistant to non-opioid pain relievers. It works by binding to opioid receptors, hindering the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain.
Although Vicodin and Norco medications have the same ingredients, are available as tablets, and are used for moderate-to-severe pain management, they differ in the amount of acetaminophen they contain. Vicodin contains 300 mg of acetaminophen, whereas Norco has 325 mg.
Previously, Vicodin came with a significantly higher amount of acetaminophen, including 5 mg/500 mg (Vicodin®), 7.5 mg/750 mg (Vicodin® ES), and 10 mg/660 mg (Vicodin® HP).
However, in 2011, the FDA limited the acetaminophen strength in drugs to a maximum of 325 mg per dosage unit in an attempt to reduce the risk of acetaminophen-induced liver injury and allergic reactions.
Consequently, Abbott (now AbbVie), the primary manufacturer of Vicodin, introduced new formulations containing no more than 300 mg of acetaminophen in 2014. These were introduced as generic drugs.
When it comes to Norco, Vicodin, and Lortab, keep in mind that all these medications contain the same active ingredients: hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Although these are the most recognizable brands for this combination drug, it is currently only available in generic versions. Nonetheless, your doctor may still prescribe it as “Norco” or “Vicodin.”
With this in mind, let’s move on to a more in-depth comparison of Norco vs. Vicodin.
5 Major Differences Between Norco vs. Vicodin
Norco vs. Vicodin’s key difference is the amount of acetaminophen in their formulations. While both drugs contain hydrocodone, Norco contains 25 mg more acetaminophen than Vicodin does.
Let’s compare Norco vs. Vicodin in terms of effectiveness, chemical composition, addictiveness, cost, and overdose risks:
Norco vs. Vicodin: Effectiveness
Norco and Vicodin are equally effective in relieving pain because they combine hydrocodone with acetaminophen, meaning they have identical active ingredients. As short-acting opioid medications, they exert analgesic effects for 3–6 hours.
Speaking of the active ingredients in Norco and Vicodin, hydrocodone vs. acetaminophen differ tremendously in terms of potency.
Hydrocodone, a member of the opioid class, is considered a moderately potent opioid analgesic. By contrast, acetaminophen is a non-opioid analgesic that is significantly less potent than hydrocodone. However, it is included in hydrocodone combination products like Norco and Vicodin for enhanced pain relief.
Norco vs. Vicodin: Chemical Composition
Norco and Vicodin have similar chemical compositions. Both are combination drugs containing hydrocodone, a potent semi-synthetic opioid derived from codeine or thebaine, and the over-the-counter analgesic acetaminophen. The difference between them is how much acetaminophen they are composed of.
Norco vs. Vicodin: Addictiveness
Norco and Vicodin are equally addictive. As hydrocodone combination products, they both expose patients to a high risk of abuse, dependence, and addiction. Prolonged use and medication abuse, in particular, amplify the risk of opioid dependence and addiction.
Importantly, hydrocodone products like Norco and Vicodin are the most commonly prescribed and misused prescription pain relievers in the United States.
In 2022 alone, more than 23.5 million prescriptions for acetaminophen/hydrocodone were issued to almost 8 million Americans. That year, 3.7 million Americans misused hydrocodone products.
Norco vs. Vicodin: Cost
The cost of Norco vs. Vicodin primarily differs based on prescription strength and your insurance policies.
More often than not, acetaminophen/hydrocodone formulations with 325 mg of acetaminophen are cheaper than those containing 300 mg. For example, 300 mg/5 mg acetaminophen/hydrocodone costs around $0.53–$0.61 per tablet, whereas the 325 mg/5 mg formulation costs roughly $0.19–$0.37.
Therefore, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that Norco generally costs less than Vicodin, even though both formulations are only currently available as generic drugs.
Norco vs. Vicodin Overdose
Norco and Vicodin can both cause a potentially life-threatening opioid overdose, especially when abused.
Every year since 2015, natural and semi-synthetic opioids, including hydrocodone products, have claimed the lives of at least 10,000 Americans.
To reduce the risk of hydrocodone overdose, only take opioids if you have no other alternatives. If you must use Norco or Vicodin, take them at the lowest doses possible for minimum time and carefully follow your doctor’s instructions.
Next, let’s discuss Norco vs. Vicodin side effects.
Norco vs. Vicodin Side Effects
Norco and Vicodin side effect profiles are alike, as both medications have the same active ingredients.
The most common side effects of Norco and Vicodin include:
- Itching
- Fatigue
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Headaches
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
Talk to your doctor if you experience any side effects after taking either of these drugs. Norco and Vicodin can also cause serious adverse effects, such as seizures and breathing problems, that may require immediate medical attention.
Furthermore, prolonged use of these opioids increases the risk of:
- Tolerance
- Fertility issues
- Urinary problems
- Opioid dependence
- Norco or Vicodin addiction
- Potentially fatal opioid overdose
Since Norco and Vicodin contain acetaminophen, these drugs can cause liver injury. Mixing them with alcohol, acetaminophen, or other substances that affect the liver increases this risk.
Drug Interactions of Norco and Vicodin
Norco and Vicodin may interact with numerous drugs, including but not limited to:
- Alcohol
- Other opioids
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxers
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety medications
- Seizure medications
- Antifungal medications
Inform your doctor about any medications you’re taking before initiating opioid therapy. Do not mix Norco or Vicodin with other substances without your doctor’s approval, as this is a dangerous form of opioid abuse that can have life-threatening consequences.
Other Risk Factors of Norco and Vicodin
Other factors that amplify the risks associated with Norco and Vicodin include:
- Constipation
- Kidney issues
- Brain disorders
- Urinary problems
- Impaired liver function
- Allergy to opioids or acetaminophen
- Substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Discuss your medical history with your doctor before using Norco or Vicodin.
Importantly, opioid use during pregnancy can have detrimental effects on your and your baby’s health. Besides neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), it increases the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, maternal death, developmental delays, and other possibly fatal outcomes. If you are pregnant or planning a baby while taking Norco or Vicodin, consult with your doctor.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Contrary to popular belief, physical dependence and addiction to opioids are different conditions. Dependence refers to the physical reliance on opioids, whereas opioid addiction is primarily psychological.
If you take Norco or Vicodin for a prolonged period, it’s only a matter of time before you become dependent, as opioid medications gradually alter brain chemistry. Once you develop opioid dependence, your body will no longer function normally without these drugs.
Without proper treatment, dependence can grow into an addiction, which is characterized by a loss of control over drug use. Those addicted to medications like Norco and Vicodin feel an overwhelming urge to use these drugs and cannot stop taking them, even when it harms them.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
Here are the tell-tale signs and symptoms of opioid dependence:
- Tolerance. Prolonged exposure to opioids like Norco and Vicodin causes the brain to stop producing endorphins and to create more opioid receptors, leading to tolerance. Because of this, you’ll eventually need increasingly larger medication doses to achieve the same effects as before.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. Opioid-dependent individuals experience uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms upon drug discontinuation. These may range from acute symptoms (e.g., muscle aches and diarrhea) to lingering psychological effects like depression and sleep disturbances.
If this sounds familiar, it’s in your best interest to seek professional treatment for opioid addiction like ANR.
ANR Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is a groundbreaking treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann that has supported close to 25,000 patients worldwide in reclaiming their lives from opioid dependence.
ANR treatment targets the neurobiological root causes of opioid dependence by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system while the patient is sedated, which takes roughly 4–6 hours. Once the procedure is completed, patients no longer experience cravings or other withdrawal symptoms, allowing them to return to an opioid-free life within a matter of days.
Benefits of Undergoing ANR Treatment
Some major benefits of undergoing ANR treatment include:
- Safety. ANR is very safe, as it is performed strictly in an ICU setting of fully accredited hospitals. Furthermore, it is carried out by highly experienced board-certified anesthesiologists, critical care physicians, and other medical professionals.
- Effectiveness. As the first and only treatment that addresses the root of opioid dependence, ANR has an unparalleled success rate. This procedure negates the risk of relapse by restoring normal brain function, thereby eliminating withdrawal symptoms.
- Personalized approach. ANR is suitable for almost everyone—including those with complex health conditions—as each patient receives a treatment plan tailored to their unique needs.
Take the first step toward an opioid-free life today by contacting us and booking a free, 100% confidential consultation!
Key Takeaways
Hopefully, this Norco vs. Vicodin comparison guide helped you better understand how these drugs differ. Although they have more similarities, the difference in acetaminophen content is something to keep in mind, especially for those with pre-existing liver problems.
Let’s go over the key points we covered:
- Vicodin and Norco are former brand names for acetaminophen/hydrocodone, which is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain.
- Norco has 325 mg of acetaminophen, whereas Vicodin contains 300 mg.
- ANR is an innovative treatment that eradicates the root of opioid dependence by repairing the endorphin-receptor system imbalance.
Norco vs. Vicodin FAQ
Norco is strong, though it is not the most potent opioid medication. Roughly 1.5 times more powerful than morphine, its opioid ingredient—hydrocodone—is considered moderately potent. Although there are more potent opioids than hydrocodone, this drug still has a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. Worse yet, it can cause a fatal overdose.
You should never switch from Vicodin to Norco or vice versa unless instructed by a healthcare provider. Although these medications have the same ingredients, their acetaminophen content differs. This may be especially relevant for those with liver problems, as acetaminophen increases the risk of hepatotoxicity.
ANR treatment is highly effective for Vicodin dependency, even for those who have been struggling with it for years or decades. This revolutionary treatment can help you return to an opioid-free life within days through endorphin-receptor system modulation.
Additional Information
Percocet vs. Norco: Differences, Risks and Treatment