We, as people who live in the 21st century, are lucky for having painkillers as our pain reliever. Imagine living in a time when you have to handle the pain when you break your arm or leg without any painkiller. Lucky us that we have many products of a painkiller such as Norco Vs Vicodin, which can be found easily at the drugstore.
People who lived in the era before the painkiller not yet be found must deal with every painful wound they got. A long way back to the Stone Age era, for instance, people at that time believed that pain came from The Gods or The Spirits they believed. They would use animals as a sacrifice to relieve the pain or they used their religious offerings.
In another era, Ancient Egypt as an example, the used electric eels to reduce pain. This practice is similar to what we use today, which is electrical nerve stimulation to relieve some pains and aches. In other hand, The Ancient Greeks use Hippocrates’ theory which willow bark and leaves could manage the pain.
As time goes by, people find more effective ways to relieve the pain to reduce the risk of death for patients. To understand better about the painkiller, take a look at the short history of painkillers below.
Modern Pain Reliever
The earliest pain therapy was found by Hippocrates, who found willow bark as the pain management therapy. Then later, the willow tree was known as great pain management therapy because this plant contains salicylic acid.
And it became the start of everything because, in the 18th -19th, scientists found out how to develop the best way to produce salicylic acid synthetically. That way led chemists and scientists to find the best formula to relieve and cure the pain which we know as aspirin nowadays.
As technology has developed rapidly, many painkiller products have been produced to fulfill people’s needs. Two examples of painkiller products are Norco and Vicodin.
Things We Should Know About Norco Vs Vicodin
Norco and Vicodin are best known as painkillers that are made from some combination of active substances; Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. Both of these painkillers are guided to be taken in tablets or orally.
Norco and Vicodin are included as prescription medicines because they may lead you to addiction if you take them without a doctor’s prescription. The usual dosage for older persons is a tablet for every 4 to 6 hours, or they can take it as needed, supported by a doctor’s prescription.
Some Differences Between Norco Vs Vicodin
Even though Norco and Vicodin are both opioid-based painkillers, they are some things that differ from each other. They both are exactly using to eliminate and reduce severe pain which is mainly used during the surgery.
Even though they have the same functions, Norco Vs Vicodin still has some differences. Let’s see what things make them differently in the list below.
1. Composition
Both Norco and Vicodin surely contain the same combination of substances Hydrocodone and Acetaminophen. But the composition of both substances in Norco and Vicodin is different.
Norco generally has two types of tablets with different compositions. One is 7.5 per 325 mg, and the other one is 10 per 325 mg. It means one of Norco tablets contains 7.5 mg of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and 325 mg of Acetaminophen. Moreover, the second one contains 10 mg of Hydrocodone Bitartrate which has 2.5 extra of it and 325 mg of Acetaminophen.
Meanwhile, the Vicodin table contains 5 mg of Hydrocodone Bitartrate and 500 mg of Acetaminophen. It has higher levels of Acetaminophen but a lower level of Hydrocodone Bitartrate. This composition shows the first differences between Norco and Vicodin.
2. Side effects
No matter how helpful the medicine is, it will give side effects on our bodies. Norco Vs Vicodin are the same, both of these medicines will affect some side effects to the patient.
Patients who take Vicodin have a higher possibility of having stomach problems due to the high levels of Acetaminophen. That is why doctors prefer giving Norco to the patients who have stomach issues.
Other side effects of Norco and Vicodin are commonly the same, such as blurred vision, constipation, itching, slow heartbeat, headache, drowsiness, swelling of face, hives, upset stomach, and dry mouth. Due to the side effects, make sure to take a rest after consuming Norco and Vicodin.
3. Dosage
As mentioned before that even though both of these medicines have the same substance, they have different compositions. That is why both also have different dosages.
For Norco, an older persons can take 1 tablet every four to six-hour or it can be said that an older person can take 3 tablets in a day or as is needed. There is no exact dosage for Norco because it should be adjusted to the patient’s response and pain severity. But should not be taken more than 6 tablets in a day for sure.
Besides, an older person can take 1 or 2 tablets of Vicodin every four to six hours and it also should be adjusted with the response of patients. Vicodin can be taken more than Norco due to its composition. If Norco should not be taken for more than 6 tablets, you should not take more than 8 Vicodin in a day.
4. Addiction
Both Norco and Vicodin are addictive due to their mood-altering effects, especially for those who take these medicines for a long time. The patients who have long-term use of these medicines generally will suffer some symptoms such as addiction. Both are exactly having addiction effects.
However, Norco has a higher possibility of those symptoms of addiction because of its high concentration of Hydrocodone. Patients who suddenly stop taking these pills have a higher possibility of addiction.
5. Warning
Norco Vs Vicodin has common warnings due to the same substances. Patients who take these medicines should not take alco**holic beverages because it may increase the risk of liver disease. Pregnant women also should consult the doctor first before taking these medicines. The reason is that both Norco and Vicodin cause addiction in newborns.
