Percocet and Norco are among the most commonly prescribed opioid analgesics in the United States. Unfortunately, they are also the most frequently abused prescription painkillers. So, if you are suffering from pain, you might want to compare Percocet vs. Norco and learn more about them.
This Percocet vs. Norco guide will provide an extensive comparison of these medications—including their effectiveness, side effects, and more—to help you gain more insight into their similarities and differences.
What Is Percocet, and How Does It Work?
Percocet is a prescription opioid medication used to control moderate-to-severe pain that doesn’t respond to weaker pain relievers. It contains two active ingredients: oxycodone and acetaminophen.
Percocet comes as a tablet containing 325 mg of acetaminophen and 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg of oxycodone. It is also sold as a generic drug and under several other brand names, such as Endocet®. Generic oxycodone/acetaminophen is also available as an oral solution.
As a potent opioid, Percocet has made its way to the streets, with Percs, Blue Dynamite, and Buttons being some of its most common street names.
Percocet alters the perception of pain by interacting with the opioid receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), disrupting the transmission of pain signals between the body and the brain. Its effects occur within 30 minutes following administration and last 4–6 hours.
Anyone who takes Percocet faces the risk of opioid dependence and addiction. The best way to prevent Percocet addiction is not to take this drug. If you have no other option, closely follow your doctor’s instructions and take it for as little time as possible.
What Is Norco, and How Does It Work?
Norco is an opioid pain medication prescribed to manage moderate-to-severe pain when non-opioid analgesics aren’t effective enough or cannot be used. It is made by combining hydrocodone and acetaminophen.
Norco comes in the form of tablets consisting of 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg hydrocodone and 325 mg acetaminophen. It is also marketed under the brand names Lortab®, Vicodin®, and Lorcet®, and it is sold as a generic drug, either as a tablet or an oral solution. On the streets, it is commonly known as “Narco.”
Like Percocet, Norco binds to opioid receptors, preventing the brain from receiving pain signals, with effects starting within 30 minutes following consumption and lasting for 4–6 hours on average. It also carries a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. Taking it as prescribed can minimize the risk of Norco addiction, but it doesn’t eliminate it.
Now that you’re more familiar with both medications, it’s time to compare Percocet vs. Norco.
Key Differences Between Percocet vs. Norco
Though Percocet and Norco share several similarities—namely, both are combination drugs containing acetaminophen—they are different.
Bearing that in mind, let’s compare Percocet vs. Norco in terms of effectiveness, chemical composition, addictiveness, and cost to find out their main differences:
Percocet vs. Norco Effectiveness
There’s little difference between Percocet and Norco in terms of effectiveness. Several studies, including one by David Slawson from the University of Virginia Health System, suggest that these medications are equally effective in relieving pain.
However, a study by James P. Zacny and Sandra Gutierrez from the University of Chicago found that Percocet is 1.5 times more effective than Norco. Still, the study had a sample size of just 20 participants.
Ultimately, both Percocet and Norco are highly effective in terms of pain management.
Percocet vs. Norco Chemical Composition
The main difference between Percocet vs. Norco is that while both contain acetaminophen—an over-the-counter painkiller—they have different opioid ingredients.
Percocet also contains oxycodone, whereas Norco has hydrocodone in its composition. Oxycodone is a potent thebaine derivative. While hydrocodone can also be made from thebaine, it is often synthesized from codeine. Still, both Percocet and Norco are combination medications combining semi-synthetic opioids with acetaminophen.
Percocet vs. Norco Addictiveness
Both Percocet and Norco have a strong potential for opioid dependence and addiction, which is why they are classified as Schedule II controlled substances.
The risk of opioid addiction increases with prolonged medication use. Opioid abuse can make you even more susceptible to it.
Unfortunately, since both Percocet and Norco induce intense euphoria in addition to pain relief, it’s not uncommon for people to abuse them. In 2022, over 45% of Americans misusing prescription pain relievers abused hydrocodone, whereas nearly 31% misused oxycodone.
Percocet vs. Norco Cost
Percocet is generally more expensive than Norco. When comparing costs, keep in mind that generic medications will always be cheaper than brand-name ones; generic drugs are more often covered by insurance.
For comparison, 90 tablets of generic 5 mg/325 mg hydrocodone/acetaminophen will cost you around $40, whereas for brand-name Norco®, you might have to pay upwards of $460. Meanwhile, you can expect to pay as much as $600 for just 12 tablets of brand-name Percocet®. However, generic oxycodone/acetaminophen can cost as little as $20 for 90 tablets.
Now, let’s discuss the side effects of Percocet vs. Norco.
Percocet vs. Norco Side Effects
Percocet and Norco typically cause the same side effects as most other opioids, including:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Sedation
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Blurry vision
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
Though these medications usually cause similar side effects, hydrocodone is more likely to lead to constipation than oxycodone. Inform your doctor about any unwanted effects you experience while taking Percocet or Norco, including those not mentioned above.
In some cases, especially when abused or taken for a prolonged time, Percocet and Norco can also cause severe side effects that may require immediate medical care. These include:
- Seizures
- Confusion
- Fertility issues
- Urinary problems
- Respiratory depression
- Blood pressure changes
Percocet and Norco Drug Interactions
Percocet and Norco share many drug interactions since they contain a combination of acetaminophen and an opioid.
Here are some popular drugs that may interact with Percocet and Norco and generally shouldn’t be taken together:
- Alcohol
- Antihistamines
- Antidepressants
- Muscle relaxants
- Benzodiazepines
- Seizure medications
Even some herbal medications, such as St. John’s Wort, may not be safe when mixed with opioids like Percocet and Norco. As a rule of thumb, do not mix them with any drugs without your doctor’s approval, as this can have devastating effects (e.g., opioid overdose).
Other Risk Factors of Percocet and Norco
The main risk factors of Percocet and Norco that can increase the risk of adverse effects include:
- Constipation
- Liver disease
- Seizure disorder
- Low blood pressure
- Respiratory problems
- Alcohol use disorder (AUD)
- Acetaminophen or opioid allergy
Do not drink alcohol while taking Percocet or Norco. Not only can this increase the risk of opioid overdose, but it can also make you more vulnerable to liver injury.
Since both medications contain acetaminophen, you should avoid mixing them with other medications that contain this ingredient. Otherwise, you may face a higher risk of acetaminophen toxicity.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Anyone who takes Percocet or Norco risks developing a physical dependence on or an addiction to opioids, including those who take it precisely as instructed.
Prolonged opioid use leads to neurochemical changes, which are the root cause of opioid dependence. People physically dependent on opioids have to take them to maintain normal functioning; without them, their bodies enter a state of opioid withdrawal.
If left untreated, opioid dependence can turn into an addiction, which is largely psychological. Those addicted to opioids struggle to control their impulses and continue to take them, even when opioid use harms their well-being. Opioid addiction—also known as opioid use disorder (OUD)—impacts the lives of more than 2 million Americans.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
Opioid dependence is characterized by tolerance and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Repeated opioid exposure stimulates opioid receptor production, leading to tolerance. In other words, over time, the usual opioid dose loses its effectiveness. If this happens, talk to your doctor; taking Percocet or Norco in higher doses than prescribed increases the risk of opioid addiction, overdose, and death.
Moreover, if you quit opioids after becoming dependent, you will suffer from distressing withdrawal symptoms, such as diarrhea, body aches, cravings, and depression. Sadly, it’s not uncommon for people to take opioids—even when they no longer need them for medical purposes—just to avoid these symptoms.
Thankfully, opioid dependence can be treated, regardless of how long you’ve been struggling with it.
ANR Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an ultra-modern opioid dependence treatment that has helped nearly 25,000 people worldwide take back control over their lives and get off opioids for good.
Developed by Dr. Andre Waismann, ANR stands out as the first and only treatment that treats the root cause of opioid dependence rather than its symptoms.
By re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system, ANR reverses opioid-induced changes to the brain, restoring it to its pre-addiction state. As such, it does not lead to ongoing withdrawal symptoms, negating the risk of relapse.
Furthermore, ANR is very safe. Each treatment is tailored to every patient individually and can thus be safely performed even on those with complex health problems, such as liver, heart, or lung conditions. Most importantly, the ANR treatment is performed by highly experienced board-certified medical professionals in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals.
Better yet, ANR can help you overcome Percocet or Norco dependence in a matter of days—the average hospital stay for our patients lasts just 36 hours!
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Key Takeaways
Hopefully, you found this Norco vs. Percocet guide helpful in learning more about the differences between these two effective yet dangerous opioids.
Let’s summarize the key points we covered:
- The most significant difference between Percocet and Norco is that Percocet contains a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone, whereas Norco is comprised of acetaminophen and hydrocodone.
- Comparing Percocet vs. Norco shows that both medications have more similarities than differences; they are both very effective yet highly addictive, share many drug interactions, and cause similar side effects.
- If you’re battling Percocet or Norco dependence, ANR can help you overcome it safely, quickly, and effectively.
Percocet vs. Norco FAQ
One study by James P. Zacny and Sandra Gutierrez from the University of Chicago found that Percocet is 1.5 times stronger than Norco. However, both Percocet and Norco are very potent pain relievers, with several other studies finding little to no difference between them in terms of potency.
Both Percocet and Norco are very effective for the treatment of severe pain, but they also expose individuals to various risks, including opioid dependence, addiction, and overdose. Consult your doctor to determine which would be a better fit for you. If possible, opt for non-opioid treatments before initiating opioid therapy.
It is not safe to use Percocet or Norco while pregnant. Using opioids during pregnancy can increase the risk of stillbirth, miscarriage, congenital disabilities, maternal death, and neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS), among other adverse events. If you are planning to have a baby or have become pregnant while taking Percocet or Norco, reach out to your doctor for medical advice.
It is not safe to take Percocet or Norco with alcohol. The combination of Norco or Percocet and alcohol is very dangerous and dramatically increases the risk of adverse reactions, such as severe respiratory depression, sedation, coma, and even death.
Additional Information:
Percocet vs. Hydrocodone: Which One Is Stronger?
