Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Back Pain User Reviews

• Bwayne
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 12, 2021

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I had 2 back surgeries in 2017 due to an injury. My personal physician prescribed me Norco 10/325 which was working Fantastic. However, I always had a problem getting refill and he always gave me the DEA story of how he didn't want to write the script. I finally went to a Pain Management clinic. Worse mistake I ever made! The pain management doctor treated me like an addict. I have never misused my pain medication. I got so frustrated that I stopped taking them. I have not had a good day since. And of course the pain management clinic won't return my calls. It's very sad that because some people have misused this medication and the government has stuck their hands in the doctor's office that people with legitimate pain has to suffer."

• Buffy
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 24, 2021

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "What is going on with the Norco pills these days? I've been getting the name brand Norco made by Allergan in the 7.5, when I filled my script this month, I swear they have no opiate in them and it's straight tylenol, I've been miserable this entire month, no relief at all, and I don't sleep at night due to RLS something isn't right. I used to take generic Watson never had an issue but when most pharmacy switched to that Mallinckrodt manufacturer I had to quit taking due to severe allergic reactions. So, after reading these comments I see I'm not the only one, now I don't know where to get meds refilled, pharmacies are doing something different for sure, these pills look the same but something is off, and they thought people would not notice, well I did right off the bat. Ridiculous"

• LAM
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 2, 2021

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "CVS had generic Norco by Sun pharma NO vomiting, migraines, upset stomach. CVS had Aurobindo generic , pain was 8 after 2 tablets a 7, nausea bad. I wrote CVS CEO and he told pharmacist to order a brand that worked for me. Pharmacy manager got ANGRY and refused to fill my pain medication then she told my doctor, I had to go to pain management doctor. First visit the Dr came in said I read your chart you’ve had everything done to try and help your pain, so why are you here. I explained, I’m here because of a pharmacist, I explained he was shocked a pharmacist could do this and with all my surgeries. A pharmacist would complain about four pain pills a day. Dr wrote my RX added do not fill with Mallinckrodt, Aurobindo or Amneal . 2 years no problems last few months CVS said No Sun REALLY !! Every pharmacy refuses to order other brands and every pharmacy I call says we only carry Mallinckrodt .The FDA said if no one calls to complain , then things won’t change"

• Peggy...
• May 10, 2020

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "2 years agoI went to Walgreens instead of CVS and got my prescription filled that month for Norco 10 / 325 it was a pill look like my yellow ones little football but it was white. Absolutely did not work. I'm 67 years old and I had a horrible car accident 23 years ago and with the help of Norco I live with the pain. The last few years they're screwing with the medicine - everybody - not just Walgreens, Walgreens is the worst by the way. I believe that they are no longer putting opiate in their pills I mean if you get a 10 / 325 you shouldn't be able to break it so easily, used to be so hard to break that little yellow pill in half. I mean a lot of us are in pain if you're in pain why should we have to live in pain I don't get it. Somebody needs to do something I mean if anyone wants to go in together we find out how much it cost to test them I'll go in one way to find out"

• Rosel...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 2, 2021

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I’m 72 years old with severe arthritis and sciatic nerve pain. I’ve been taking hydrocodone for over 20 years with excellent pain relief and able to live somewhat of a normal life. I cannot sleep on a regular mattress and for many years sleep in a recliner. Lately I’ve been helping my son and daughter-in-law babysitting my 3 grandsons which is not easy. As most the manufacturer is Mallincrkrodt. The script I just had filled is way different! The pain doesn’t subside and I literally feel very sick! While I normally feel pain relief and also more alert I now feel I can’t stay awake and honestly feel horrible! I’ve called all pharmacies and they all use nothing but Mallinckrodt! Also none of them have name brand Norco anymore! When I was getting Norco when colored yellow that worked the best. Since the change to white it’s never been the same."

• Screwed...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 4, 2020

"Due to a severe back injury I've been on Norco for years.. Long ago, my pharmacies carried Qualitest and Watson (dark yellow) brand. Worked great! Over the years, however, now they only carry Mallinckrodt brand. This stuff is hit or miss. I've also noticed that the Mallinckrodt brand is not only hit or miss, but I've developed an allergic reaction to the brand. Sometimes it causes itching and scratching, sometimes severe respiratory problems, or it doesn't work at all. My doctor says that I'm not the only one with this problem. Interesting. Has anyone else had these problems, or is it just me?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 22, 2019

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I think I can help the government understand how patients feel about Norco Watson brand and the "others". Its like getting a pack of smokes and the store is out so they hand you some snuff and say" its the same thing." Or a doctor doing surgery and he asked for the knife and they hand him a steak knife and say "its the same thing" Or you go to buy a diamond and they pull out a selection from "Clairs" and say " its the same thing." Do you get it now?"

• Johnny
• Taken for 10 years or more
• September 26, 2020

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I screwed up my back pretty bad in 1993. The older I get the worse the pain. Surgery in NOT an option.. Used to get Watson and Qualitest brand acetaminophen/hydrocodone for the pain. It worked great. Then the pharmacies switched to Mallinckrodt. It either didn't work, made me itch or gave me severe breathing problems depending upon the lot number. My doctor switched me to Percocet. It didn't work at ALL! Then I checked the manufacturer. Mallinckrodt. If you can find a pharmacy the doesn't use Mallinckrodt...run, do not walk, to that pharmacy. I've had it with Mallinckrodt."

• Gman
• February 11, 2020

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "Been on hydrocodone 20 years now. Life was great when six 10/325 yellow tabs worked 10 hour days. I was able to work and make great money (self employed contractor in home improvements)..bills paid...child support paid..life was great...then the proclaimed opioid crisis came. Pain management cut me down to four 10/325. Work went OK...(only 7 hour days)...then pain management cut me down again..(against my will )...down to four 7.5/325, then down to three 7.5/325 a day. Now I can only work 3 days a week for 3 hours. I am now behind on support orders, house payments, bills, taxes...and mind you..never abused them...don't drink..never did drugs (street illicit ). Always passed the urine tests for for meds...always passed pill counts...perfect pain management role model. My pain is all due to 3 motorcycle crashes, fell off roof (24 feet), tree fell on me, ran over by truck in 9th grade, so yeah a long history of injuries. Now about to loose everything I worked for last 20 years. The newest generics prescribe to me is PAR Pharmaceutical 7.5/325 and I don't even think there is any active ingredient in them..god bless"

• Harve
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 4, 2020

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "The generic norco if today will be ineffective due to the abuse deterrence altering the effectiveness of the pain pill. Most of the pharmaceutical companies have been instructed to do this to avoid abuse, all the while not receiving any relief for those in pain."

• Nurse
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 21, 2020

"I have been taking Hydrocodone for about 10 years. I have back issues(need surgery), an ankle that I had surgery on several years ago that gives me problems all the time and severe arthritis in my hands. I also have a bad left knee and rt. rotator cuff issues. My body is just beat up and worn out. Biggest reason is from being a Registered Nurse in the hospital setting for 20 years. Anyway, I noticed a change in the medication first time about a year ago. Then again about 3 months ago. The change(s) are VERY NOTABLE!! I have nausea, ringing in ears, less pain relief and dizziness so bad I feel like I have vertigo (which I don't..I had that checked). It is the Mallinckrodt mgfr. The fact they change the formulas on medications and don't let people know is terrible. Whether its dosage of the pain medication in it or fillers, it could potentially be a fatal issue if someone has allergy. The street addicts..ones that take any and everything to get high, has ruined true pain sufferers lives!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 21, 2023

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I have several medical issues and have been living with pain for 30 years. I take my medication as prescribed, and I try to take less when possible. However, the medication that is currently available is not working for me. I am 68 years old and trying to stay active, but this medication is causing me to be bedridden. The yellow generic for Norco used to work for me, but it is no longer available, and the current white pills are not providing any relief. I am tired of hearing people say that "it's the same medicine" because it is not. I just want to be able to be up and active again. If anyone knows of a lawsuit, I would be interested in joining."

• MissN...
• February 17, 2020

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I was given Norco because of stenosis and herniated disc which happened on the job and because I'm in a program of recovery I did not want to take it however the pain became too great and I was getting a great generic version of Norco acetaminophen/hydrocodone now the only thing that is available is Mallinckrodt and before that I had a manufacturer Eywa.. ( THOSE ARE AWFUL) however Mallinckrodt is the best I can come up with because Watson no longer makes this medication and the looks from the pharmacy just because it doesn't look like I have anything wrong doesn't mean that there isn't. My doctor has shared with me that he won't increase my dosage even though my condition is chronic nor will he change it to Percocet because I would have to go to a hearing I don't know if anyone has ever heard of any of these things but if you have please share I'm in Ohio the Cleveland area. I'm just tired and NO ONE should have to deal with substandard medicines but what about those of us who have chronic pain?"

• Anony...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 26, 2020

"I have chronic back pain from an injury to 5th lumbar region. I had back surgery in 1997. The surgery gave me pain relief for two years, and that was it. Now my entire back hurts from top to bottom with pain going down left leg. I have been taking hydrocodone since 2003, and it has always worked for me. Giving me enough pain relief to live an active life. Within the last two years I have noticed that the hydrocodone wasn't taking away my pain like it use to. Now it doesn't work at all. My last prescription was Tris PHARMA brand. This medication is comparable to Mallinckrodt brand. I have nausea, ringing in ears, headaches, and severe dizziness. I feel like I am going to fall over when I get up. Is there anyone out there who can help us? Who represents the people who have to take pain medications to live? My quality of life is now gone. We need help here!"

• Natalie
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 19, 2019

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I use to get name brand things were fine. My back pain started getting worse then I got the generics. First it was good. Some were good some not. In the Aurobindo brand of acetaminophen/hydrocodone after about 2 weeks I started to vomit and was sick for a week. Of course pharmacy didn't listen. Then one more time and same thing happened. No more of that. Then Mallinckrodt. It's just rubbish. Now Im having spasms in buttocks. I don't think there is any opiate in them and I am withdrawing. You can't trust big pharma. That's the way they do things. I am angry because they are stealing from us. How dare they decide for us that we should not have opiates."

• Anonymous
• February 19, 2020

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "Back and neck looks like a train wreck without going into a long drawn out post. Waiting for a surgery because dr is out of town. Pain dr says be patient. I’m not out of pain. Been on Norco for 15 years. Looking at a 3rd neck fusion and 4 herniations, disc protruding and other MRI findings. Dr is scared to prescribe medication. I’ve actually thought about street drugs to relieve my pain. It’s not addiction it’s desperation for chronic pain relief!!!"

• Jazz
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 31, 2019

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I was taking actavis norco 10/325 for years and as you all stated no one carries them anymore. The Mallinckrodt makes me so sick that I did research Par pharmaceuticals the yellow ones is wholesaled by AmerisourceBergen and AmerisourceBergens largest contract is with Walgreens and Riteaid. I called around and Par told me you are with AmerisourceBergen and that you can order par. The 24 hour locations can try but they are mostly stocked fully with Mallinckrodt and can’t order past a certain threshold. Call the locations that are open to 9pm. BOTH of the non 24 hour Walgreens were able to go in their system pull up Par yellow norco and order them. They also notated my file that I have a bad reaction on Mallinkcrodt and can only be filled actavis (which is still made I called them as well) or Par. Hope this helps."

• Lady...
• February 22, 2020

"I was prescribed "Hydrocodone/Acedeminiphen 7.5- 3.25" for Sciatic Pain & Fibromyalgia Pain. I have been taking this medication for quite some time and it works/worked, until Walgreens, switched manufacturers, going from "Watson" to "Mallinckrodt". This pain med has so much filler and hardly any actual pain reliever in it. I've had to take/use more to get any relief; And that makes me look like I'm abusing/misusing my prescriptions. This company is really doing us a disservice, not to mention being dishonest & fraudulent. I asked a couple of Pharmacist if anyone else has complained about this medication ( from this manufacturer) not working for them? He said there had indeed been other complaints. Mallinckrodt Pharmaceutical products are on the same level as Placebos. This is so unfair, when we are suffering with legitimate pain. I am pleading with Walgreens, Walmart & other Pharmacies to Stop buying from this company. We Need Real Meds. This Patient/Consumer is calling them out!"

• Pain...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• June 15, 2020

Lortab (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "This is by far the worst brand of hydrocodone I have ever taken. Makes me sick to my stomach and does not on my back pain at all. And it's a waste of a prescription. Watson brand is by far the best with no side effects and does its job. I do not know what fillers you're putting in this junk but you need to take it off the market. I had to change my pharmacy to get a brand that works because of your side effects of this junk. I couldn't be more serious. I'm after pain relief not a high and certainly not to be sick at my stomach from taking it."

• J B
• February 7, 2020

"ATTENTION PEOPLE! Complain to the FDA in writing, and complain to the CDC as well. These government agencies are requiring all manufacturers of generic opioids to reformulate the medications so they will be less addictive. In the process the medication itself has become ineffective, and simply does not work. The last time my medication worked was February 23, 2019. Since then it has been downhill. We need to let our voices be heard! I hope a lawyer reads all of these posts, and files a class action lawsuit against the FDA, CDC, and the drug manufacturers. I complain to the FDA, and CDC every time I get my pain medication filled. Every generic I have tried has been ineffective. It’s time for something to be done! Thanks to this post I now know I am not alone!"

• bobbi
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 1, 2019

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I have had back pain for years but didn’t see a Dr. until the last few years. Recently had back surgery. I’ve taken Norco off and on and it does help with the pain but it just doesn’t last long and I need a high dose that makes me sleepy. My big complaint is the restrictions on opioids. If I have MRI reports that indicate I have a real need for them why do I have to go every month to get a prescription? I understand patients make up illnesses to get them, but if there’s no indication at all they need to not receive them. It shouldn’t affect someone who does."

• Still...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• July 6, 2021

"I live in the area of one of US's largest urban areas, & want to know WHY do Norcos (hydrocodone with acetaminophen) no longer work for pain??? I have been taking them for 16+ years for spinal root damage. Never built up a tolerance & continued to take as prescribed, with no issues. Now, they just don't work at all! Is this yet another way the Feds are "punishing" us for the alleged opiate crisis?? You're doing it wrong!! 83% of last year's record ODs were a result of illicit fentanyl with most of the rest being heroin & meth. Only 1.4% had a legit script for them! DO SOMETHING GOOD for a change, Washington!! This is a national disgrace!!"

• Malef...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 11, 2018

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I had been taking the Watson 10/325 Norco with no problems, until Walgreens went to Mallinckrodt; total waste of time. I was told by Walgreens, that Watson no longer existed and found that unacceptable. They are worlds apart and I don’t know how they’re getting away with this. Wait, yes I do! Those that need these meds to work, so we function in life; are also victims of the opioid epidemic. So I did some research... Watson was bought out by one of two companies. Next, I began calling pharmacies, asking the brand carried. All the chain stores had the Mallinckrodt, CVS flat refused to answer & said they’d reject my prescription if I came in and asked. FINALLY, I found two local pharmacies that had different brands. I have gone to both pharmacies to try them and discovered that any brand OTHER than the Mallinckrodt works just fine. So my advice to anyone in this predicament is to try local pharmacies and step away from the Mallinckrodt garbage."

• Jkano
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• February 21, 2019

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "I had cancer and an auto immune disorder which ended with several surgeries and resulted in a lot of generalized pain. My doc prescribed Norco 5/325 three times a day then had to double the dose. Mallinkrot was pharm manufacturer. This medicine absolutely did nothing for pain and actually caused other issues such as GI problems including abdominal cramps and nausea. After switching to another brand my pain was relieved significantly and no abdominal issues. As a medical professional I do not recommend this manufacturer EVER."

• JPano
• September 12, 2020

Norco (acetaminophen / hydrocodone) "For years I took brand Norco (acetaminophen/hydrocodone) when it was manufactured by Watson. When the drug went off patent, many companies jumped in to manufacture generic versions of the drug. At one time, Watson was manufacturing a generic, which was great, since it was exactly the same as the brand, but Watson was bought out, and it's impossible to know (except through trial and error) whether the purchaser is using the Watson "recipe." As for generics acetaminophen with hydrocodone, for me, the generic Norco manufactured by Aurobindo has been excellent, as has that manufactured by Mallinckrodt and Rhodes. I have also been able to take the generic manufactured by Tris with what is usually adequate pain relief (but not as good as Aurobindo, Mallinckrodt or Rhodes). The generic that I absolutely cannot take is Amneal - it's like not taking anything at all. I'm not sure why, as all of these drugs should have the same amount of opiate in them, but I might as well not fill the prescription if the generic is Amneal."