NorcoIf you have moderate to severe pain, you may be prescribed Norco. Norco is a high alert medication, which means ifyou do not take it exactly as prescribed it may cause illness or injury.To understand how Norco works, let’s look at how pain affects your body.Thousands of tiny nerve cells in your body sense many feelings, like cold, heat, pressure, and pain. When your bodyis injured, the tiny nerve cells send a message to your brain that says: ‘I’m in pain here!’Norco is a combination of the two different pain relief medications; Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen and comes ina tablet or liquid.It works in 2 ways to help relieve pain. One part of Norco blocks pain signals to the brain. The other part changes theway your body thinks of pain.When you are prescribed Norco, the medication label will show 2 dosage numbers. The first is the amount ofHydrocodone and the second is the amount of Acetaminophen prescribed to you. Your healthcare provider willdecide how much of each ingredient you need to take.Norco is a powerful medication. Some people should not take it. Do not take Norco if you are allergic toAcetaminophen, commonly called Tylenol, codeine or morphine.If you have asthma or COPD tell your healthcare provider.If you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or are breastfeeding, talk to your healthcare provider before takingNorco.Before taking Norco, tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of: head injury and stroke; liver, kidney orthyroid problems; and pancreas problems.Norco can be highly addictive. If you have a history of abuse of street drugs or prescription medications, tell yourhealthcare provider. If you drink more than 3 alcoholic drinks per day, or you have a history of alcohol abuse, youmay not be able to take Norco.Some side effects of Norco include: constipation, nausea, headache, dizziness and sleepiness. If you do notice any ofthese side effects contact your healthcare provider about how to manage them.Be aware that you are at an increased risk of falling while taking Norco. Get up from a sitting or lying position slowly.Page 1 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCMD1005196 EN Norco.pdf© The Wellness NetworkNorcoDo not drive or operate heavy machinery, including your car, until you know how Norco affects you.Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before taking any other product with acetaminophen in it, or any cold,sleep, pain or allergy medication.If you have: trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, chest pain, swelling in your face or throat, orextreme tiredness, call 911 and get help immediately.This is not the complete list of side effects. Make sure you discuss all possible side effects with your healthcareprovider.Take Norco exactly as prescribed. Do not change your dose.Always swallow the pill whole with plenty of water. Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water a day to avoid constipation.If you have been prescribed liquid Norco, use a measuring spoon or medicine cup to make sure you get the correctamount. Do not use a regular kitchen spoon.Norco is taken when needed so you may not be on a dosing schedule. If you do take it regularly and skip a dose,take it as soon as you remember.If it is almost time for your next dose, skip your missed dose and return to your normal medication schedule.Do not double dose. If you think you have taken too much Norco, call 911. An overdose of Norco can cause seriousbreathing problems that can lead to death.Store Norco away from moisture and direct sunlight. Your bathroom medicine cabinet is not the best place becauseof moisture. Do not leave your medication where it can get too hot or too cold.Always store your medication out of sight and out of reach of children to prevent accidents.Because Norco is a narcotic that can cause dependency, it can be a very desirable drug to addicts. Lock thismedication up to prevent stealing and abuse.When you are done taking Norco, crush all of your remaining tablets and mix them with undesirable trash like kittylitter or coffee grounds. Dispose of liquid Norco by flushing it down a drain or toilet.Page 2 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCMD1005196 EN Norco.pdf© The Wellness NetworkNorcoDo not sell or give your Norco to anyone else. It is against the law and can seriously harm anyone else taking it.Contact your local police station for more information on proper disposal directions.Norco can help relieve your pain. But it is a powerful medication that should only be taken exactly as prescribed. Ifyou have any questions about Norco, ask your healthcare provider and pharmacist for more information.Page 3 of 3This program is for informational purposes only. Publisher disclaims all guarantees regarding the accuracy, completeness,or suitability of this video for medical decision making. For all health related issues please contact your healthcare provider.HCMD1005196 EN Norco.pdf© The Wellness Network
