I have been taking vicodin and norco for about 3 months now and in the past 3 weeks I have been experiencing horrible constant itching. It's so bad I've given myself terrible bruises from scratching. Someone told me that opiates can cause this. Is this true? My legs are covered in "itching" bruises. It's embarrassing!
Can Vicodin or Norco cause excessive itching?
Question posted by valerina69 on 10 April 2011
Last updated on 24 February 2013 by OSSx
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8 Answers
OSSx
24 Feb 2013
Yes it is true that opiates can cause itchiness. I personally have the same problem with codeine in Vicodin and some prescription cough syrups minus the bruising. I usually get OTC Benadryl tablets(24 to a box). Take about 2 every time the itching occurs and it should stop it(does for me anyways). Hope this helps:)
joekola2
16 Oct 2012
Yes, maybe back off the dose a lil bit, ur doctor should def be the One to make that call though (not me)
saucerman
29 May 2012
Yo, Consider yourself lucky with the itch that you haven't suffered a hearing loss do to norco. Remember Rush Limbaugh and is hearing probem from drugs
saucerman
Inactive
23 April 2011
Yes it can, people can always tell if. I have taken a table because. I scratch my nose forever and I get annoyed.
Buddy1971
11 April 2011
Yes,it is true. Try taking an antihistamine because what happened is when you ich your body(at least when taking opiates) releases histamines that cause you to itch,the antihistamines counteract that.
caringsonbj
10 April 2011
yes one of the things I have noticed about the opiates is that most of them do cause itching I was on Dilaudid, I took Norco for breakthrough pain and for a while until my system adjusted (for lack of another reason) I went through it. Just watch and if you have problems that won't let up or you develop a rash or other problems you need to talk with your prescribing physician, if you had problems with breathing or something worse you would need to call 91, just keep an eye on it, you might even ask the doctors office if you can use some hydrocortisone cream over the counter to see if this will ease the itching down.
Please keep us posted. and you take good care
LaurieShay
10 April 2011
Hey valerina,
Yes, itching is a common side effect from the hydrocodone in the vicodin and norco. You need to bring this to the attention of the prescribing doctor. In the meantime, try some soothing cream such as Aveno oatmeal cream or some other over the counter cream that has hydrocortisone in it for itch and inflammation relief.
Best wishes,
Laurie
valerina69
10 April 2011
I did see my doctor & showed her the bruises. She did blood work & allergy tests, all which came up negative. She suggested daily claritin, aveeno baths, aveeno lotion... the itching continues but the bruises I get are not normal. They are huge and very dark purple/black. I need the pain meds though so I can't stop them so I'm torn.
Thanks for the comments. At least I now know the culprit of my constant itching!
LaurieShay
10 April 2011
Have you tried the Claritin or some Benadryl? It may make you sleepy so take with caution during the day. You can also try some hydrocortisone cream which can be bought over the counter in low dose or prescribed in higher dose. Has the doctor considered changing your pain med to something else such as Opana? It is stonger but may not cause the itching that is most likely being caused by the hydrocodone. As long as your blood work came back normal and you had allergy testing there is probably nothing to worry about although the unsightliness of it I'm sure is disturbing.
valerina69
10 April 2011
Yes, I'm taking daily claritin and using the aveeno. I've been carrying a small loofa sponge in my purse so that I can "gently" scratch rather than the hard pressure of my hands/fingers which what causes me to bruise because I put alot of pressure while scratching. I've never heard of that other medication...
LaurieShay
10 April 2011
Hey valerina,
Benadryl is the medication diphenhydramine which is an antihistamine for itching and other allergy symptoms. I don't know what country you are in, but if you are in the USA then Benadryl can be purchased over the counter in a pharmacy. Do not mix the Claritin and the Benadryl, take one or the other.
The loofah sponge is an ingenious idea. Is it helping the brusing problem?
Ts2132
18 April 2012
Everytime I take Norco 7.5 I itch sooo bad
Robert70
3 Sep 2012
Valerina,
I suffer same symptoms. Every few weeks large ugly bruises appear, always on the top side of my forearms. They are not the result of any impact. I can't get any doctors to take these seriously. They attribute the bruises to old age. "Older people bruise more easily. ". Grrrrrr. They are not normal bruises. They are closer to the surface, blue-red in color. I wish I knew what was causing this. Any opinions out there?
valerina69
3 Sep 2012
Hey Robert,
I posted this question well over a year ago & I'm glad to say that my excessive itching & subsequent bruising went away after about a month. I'm not sure if your bruises were also caused by excessive scratching like mine, but hopefully yours will subside too. My bruises were right on the surface as well & very purple & red. I mean, you could actually see the blood clots! Good luck to you!!
Robert70
4 Sep 2012
Hi Valerina,
I'm not so sure that those bruises you described are caused by the scratching. Mine just appear out of nowhere, while I'm sleeping. I also suffer from itching, which comes and goes, also unpredictably, but I don't think the bruises have anything to do with scratching--at least not in my case. I'm going to quit taking Vicodin and see what happens.
valerina69
4 Sep 2012
My bruises were definitely caused by me scratching myself. I would scratch so hard I'd cause the bruise. I'm certain of that. I think they were really bad because of the meds in my blood stream though. I still take vicodin because of my injury, but I don't itch anymore so I think my body adjusted & got used to it.
gentlefootprint
10 April 2011
The itching you describe could be a severe side effect, one you should address with your doctor the first chance you get.
Related topics
norco, vicodin, acetaminophen/hydrocodone, hydrocodone
Further information
- Norco uses and warnings
- Vicodin uses and warnings
- Acetaminophen / Hydrocodone uses and warnings
- Hydrocodone uses and warnings
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