Acetaminophen / hydrocodone and Pain: What Users Say

• pai...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 27, 2014

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I've had rheumatoid arthritis for 18 years with both hips and one knee replaced. I do very well and remain active on 5 Norco (10/325) in 24 hours. I rarely need it at night. Doctors are under pressure to reduce hydrocodone because they are prone to abuse. My doctor keeps trying to cut me back, first to 4 and next to 3. Nothing else works as well for me. It has less acetaminophen than Vicodin. I'm becoming depressed and less active because I can't control the pain. I wonder if others are experiencing this."

• Her...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 7, 2019

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "I just took my last Watson yesterday. I was concerned about continuing this medication because all the pharmacies in my area only stock Mallinckrodt, and that manufacturer's brand causes me increased pain and muscle tension. I consider it to be a substandard medication, and really, I will not use it. I was lucky to find one pharmacy that stocks Amneal. While not quite as good as Watson, Amneal is an improvement over Mallinckrodt (Mallincrap), so I won't have to ask my doctor to take me off this medication, which I was going to do if only Mallincrap was available. I have informed my pharmacy that I do not want anything from Mallinckrodt as I do not trust this company. Unfortunately, they own many of the corporate pharmacies around the country."

• Cha...
• March 8, 2020

For Back Pain "Yeah I'm on this Mallinckrodt acetaminophen/hydrocodone 10-325 for a bad back. Ex-contractor. This brand feels like completely worthless fake pills. Sick of sitting here in pain. Someone needs to sue these jerks. I asked the pharmacy. There's no other brands they carry. Because they want control of your life! I'm sick of it!"

• Anonymous
• October 27, 2009

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "I started taking this after my knee surgery. I found it to be great. My recovery time was fast. I had no pain and lots of energy. It started with 3 or 4 pills a day, then after that it got to be 5 or 6 a day. I then had foot surgery. I had to take more for the pain to go away. This went on for 5 years. By the time I got help, I was taking 20 to 25 pills a day. I now know that God is watching over me because if he wasn't, I wouldn't be here now. I am now off of all painkillers, but it took a lot of hard work. I'm letting you know this because it creeps up on you before you even know it. Vicodin may help you at first and you may be able to control it. I thought I could. I'm just asking you, please be careful with this medicine."

• Ber...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 3, 2022

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "After reading some of these reviews, I am not alone. I actually thought maybe it's just me thinking the medicine doesn't work at times when I take it. WTH? What is going on? I have neck pain, neck fused with 2 cadaver discs. Now it's the back of my neck. The pain management center Dr. just lowered the dose quite quickly, I might add. Maybe because I'm on Medicare now, they got audited? I know that happens because I worked in a Dr. office! It's like no one cares about your chronic pain. Even after a tendon repair surgery on my hand, the nerve block wore off after 18 hrs. and it felt like my hand went through a tree shredder. I literally had to BEG for a few to get through at least 2 days after surgery. All because of an opioid crisis, thanks to the drug addicts. Now people who suffer genuine pain have to suffer."

• Dee...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 6, 2022

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "I have taken this medication for 30 years, this is by far the worst! One month okay, the next month like I'm taking nothing! When Watson brand was available, I did not have this problem. It's extremely frustrating and painful!"

• Sca...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 15, 2019

For Pain "I'm part of the acetaminophen with hydrocodone generic saga. I have had the same bad experience with Lupin brand of acetaminophen with hydrocodone. I've been a long-time, non-addict user of Hydrocodone for my Ehlers-Danlos pain. Recently, I got my first bottle of Lupin's acetaminophen/hydrocodone from CVS and went into withdrawal, increased pain, and my Mast Cell Disorder spiked. Two weeks later I was back to my normal manufacturer and went back to my normal. Today I got Lupin meds again and I'm tanking. This manufacturer is not providing the correct dosage and should be removed from the market."

• Jul...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 25, 2023

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Back Pain "This pain med doesn’t work. My quality of life has changed for the worst since I started taking this brand. I have to take care of my husband, who is very ill, and I don’t know how I will find the strength to do it with the level of pain that I am constantly in."

• Dee...
• February 7, 2020

For Pain "I've been on Norco, generic (acetaminophen with hydrocodone) 7.5, manufacturer Lupin, but now they have changed manufacturers, and it is not helping me. Mallinckrodt. I take these, and I go to sleep with a little relief, but then wake up with pain. The manufacturer LUPIN worked for me, but now I can't find a pharmacy that carries them. What has happened?"

• Mom...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 14, 2018

For Pain "I have been using hydrocodone for 10 years for multiple problems I have, hormone imbalance that causes migraines, back pain, ulcerative colitis, etc. I do not take them regularly, but as needed, and only get my prescription filled for them twice a year. The couple of times a month I need them, I REALLY need them to function through the pain. This new brand Walgreens has switched to is terrible! I took one for back pain, and the following day I had a migraine that grew worse as the day went on. I can only guess the fillers in this brand are something my body is rejecting. On top of that, it did not remove the pain in my back. Not only did it not take the back pain away, it caused me days' worth of pain to follow in a multi-day migraine. This whole bottle is a waste, I will never put another one of these in my mouth again. The pills are marked G 037, which came up as Tris Pharma Inc. Shame on Walgreens for saving a few dollars at the expense of their patients!"

• Sam...
• August 30, 2015

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Back Pain "I found Norco to be highly effective in keeping my back, shoulder, and neck pain under control and still allowing me to function as a professional (at least for the most part). I have taken Norco on and off over the last three years due to a series of accidents. I have taken Norco as my only source of pain medication, and I found it was pretty easy for me to leave behind once the injury was healed. I had two surgeries this summer (June and July). I began taking Norco in April and had shoulder surgery in June and continued on the Norco. In July, I had spinal surgery and was put on Dilaudid and MS Contin for four weeks. At the end of the four weeks, my withdrawal symptoms were exceedingly painful, both physically and mentally."

• Tin...
• November 13, 2019

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "The Tris brand of acetaminophen and hydrocodone with imprint G037 doesn’t help with my pain, and it’s thrown me into a horrible depression. This is horrible. I’ve been seriously depressed since I’ve been on this medication for over a month, and I’m still in pain. This medicine is horrible. Good luck out there."

• Sun...
• July 30, 2019

For Pain "So nice to see these complaints. I have been getting my meds at Walgreens. They are using Tryst since last summer. It’s obvious there was a huge change because they did nothing. As for calling other pharmacies, how can that be pharmacies' shopping? It’s my money, I have the right to purchase what I want. I called Public about an epic drug supposed to be better, and they said they give that to their regular customers. They are putting something in these drugs like a sleeping agent. My stomach is bleeding. It hurts like hell. I never had a problem till they switched, and I knew immediately. I was only taking half at a time, trying to be conservative. I am filing an FDA complaint."

• rid...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 6, 2022

For Rheumatoid Arthritis "I guess I have been one of the lucky ones until I filled my prescription last month. I have been prescribed a 10/325 Norco for RA. The Watson brand (yellow football) was keeping me self-employed for the past 5 years. I am in so much pain with this new Mallinckrodt or however it is spelled, a lot of times I elect for just Tylenol. I am allergic to any anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen. I rely on acetaminophen at night anyway as I cannot sleep with Norco. I am on board with getting some kind of action to get our good medications back. I called several pharmacists and they tell me whatever is cheapest is what they get. This whole madness of cracking down on opiates is driving so many to street drugs and leading to deaths and overdoses."

• Hie...
• September 4, 2019

For Pain "I too have used the Watson brand of acetaminophen with hydrocodone and thought it was just me. I am an ovarian cancer patient, and the pain can be awful. Because of the cancer, I had a partial foot amputation and two surgeries for infections, and that is when I really noticed, without a doubt, that the medication didn't work. They only took the edge off and didn't last four hours. If anyone has had their wound packed with gauze and wound care, they know how painful it is. I was given one pill before, and I still screamed when the wound change was done, and I was never pain-free. Even now, I'm never pain-free, it just makes it so I can tolerate the pain without screaming. I am told to stay on a pain control schedule, and still it just takes the edge off. I was pain-free for three years, and now it just takes the edge off."

• Tod...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 6, 2013

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "I started taking Lortab after I fell 22 feet in a hunting accident in March of 2012. 4 months ago I learned that I had Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy, severe nerve damage, beginning stages of osteoporosis and arthritis, and bone fragments left in my ankle. Lortab was a Godsend. It truly is the only thing that gets me through the day, although there is still pain. It's nothing compared to what it would be like without it."

• KLB...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 14, 2020

For Back Pain "I’ve been taking Percocet 10/325’s almost continuously since 2012. I’ve had 3 back surgeries, including 2 fusions. I never had any problems with my medication until my pharmacy began dispensing the Lupin manufacturer, pill identifier N493. I began suffering what I now realize were withdrawal symptoms: horrible, nonstop drenching sweats, stomach problems, severe joint pain, and no pain relief. I discussed this with my doctor, and he tried requesting brand name only. Unfortunately, I cannot afford $2,000 a month for my Rx, so this was not an option. My Costco pharmacy advised me that this was their preferred manufacturer and I had no choice but to take what they dispensed. And if I call around to other pharmacies, I’ll be looked at as a drug-seeking pharmacy shopper (even though I’ve been taking my medication responsibly and without exceeding the prescribed dosage for 8 years). So my only choice is to roll the dice each month and pray I don’t get Lupin."

• Lfa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 26, 2021

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "We who are all in chronic daily pain can thank the drug addicts who OD on heroin and opioids and the news and everyone else call it an opioid overdose! It is rubbish! I’ve been on Norco 10/325 for many years, and at first when they were yellow Watson, maybe they helped. Now whatever rubbish they are giving us hardly works. It's so frustrating. I’ve had spinal surgery, carpal tunnel surgery 2x, arthritis in both hands and a knee. And something is definitely wrong with my elbows. I wake up and go to bed in pain every single day. I cry at times because of the pain and frustration and disgust that actual junkies ruin it for people who take their RX responsibly and are probably looked at like junkies by the pharmacy. I go to one doctor for my RX, one pharmacy, and I don’t try getting them early!"

• Sam...
• April 8, 2021

For Pain "I was 9 years old when I was diagnosed with SLE. It was a new disease and not coming at all in youths. I suffered from severe arthritis. It was crippling, my knees would swell so bad, or my ankles. I would basically have to crawl, it was awful. Later on, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia, severe osteoarthritis, austerities, I need 2 knee surgeries. I’ve had close to 12 surgeries. I’m broken down. At times my pain is so bad I just cry. I’ve gained 50 pounds because of depression and COVID. I decided to restart physical therapy so I can get stronger for surgery. I’m beyond out of shape. I’m stretching, yada yada.... Long story short, I’m in so much more pain. It’s beyond terrible. My pain pills do not work. They haven’t, but rather than saying anything, I’ve just dealt with it. I just don’t know what to do anymore."

• puz...
• December 23, 2020

For Pain "The pills I'm reviewing have M365 printed on them; the label says 5-325 hydrocodone. I took hydrocodone after a hernia operation in 2007. I don't know the dose of hydrocodone, but a single pill worked within 30 mins. In fact, I reduced the dose by half. Today, I had Mohs surgery on a forehead SCC (skin cancer). Once anesthesia wore off, it hurt to even blink. Two OTC Tylenols had a minimal effect, so I called the clinic and got these. I'm cautious and took half a pill about three hours ago. Nothing. Then took the other half. Nothing. So far, I've taken 10 mg over 3 hrs. Absolutely no effect; literally no effect. In fact, the wound is even more painful than ever. I was warned against aspirin and Advil because of bleeding risk. I'm astonished and wonder if the non-effect is in part what makes this drug so addictive. What a waste of time to drive to the clinic and fill the script. This drug has absolutely no effect."

• Anonymous
• October 18, 2021

For Pain "Used hydrocodone 10/325 for years, pain in different areas. My pharmacy switched to the Camber. After about 2 weeks of thinking my pain was getting worse, I realized it was the pain meds. So I switched to another pharmacy. Lo and behold, I thought I was saved. A month later, they switched to Camber. It took me about 10 days to realize it happened again. So I either stay in pain or go to another pharmacy. So I ask you, Camber Pharm, why do they not work very well? Can you explain, please."

• LPT...
• October 17, 2008

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "On a positive note, this has helped me to live a pain-free life. I have severe diabetes, peripheral vascular disease which causes severe leg pain and cramps, especially at night. Since I work with kids in a big high school campus, I am able to work and contribute to society when taking Vicodin once a day."

• Stu...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 1, 2017

Acetaminophen / hydrocodone for Pain "I've been taking Vicodin or something like it for years. First for migraine headache and occasional back pain. Total of maybe 30 pills a year. My most pressing need was bouts with cellulitis. If I were to describe the pain, think placing your leg in a bucket of scalding water up to the knee. I took it round the clock for a few weeks. I now take it for chronic knee and hip pain. The dosage is 5 mg 3 times a day as needed. I rarely ever take 3 doses. Most days maybe 1 or 2, and if the pain is manageable, I don't use it at all. I'm averaging 60 pills every 4 months. The talk of addiction precludes me from taking it when I (or even my wife) feel I should. I've never felt high or drugged. The only side effect I see is less pain."

• Mou...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 9, 2018

For Back Pain "I'm 61 and have been dealing with chronic back pain since 2009. And I have taken ibuprofen, Advil, and Tylenol to see if it would help with the pain. I had to stop that in fear of what it would do to my body because I had to take too many with no success. So I knew I could not keep taking all those pills with the fear of what it would do to my liver. I cannot do things like going for a walk, working around the house, or even taking a shower without the pain flaring up. And the acetaminophen/hydrocodone does not help like I thought. Not sure if it's the brand or the 7.5 mg that they have me on. But it only works for about half an hour, and that's only if I'm not up and moving around. I can't even go to the store without getting a cart to lean on while I'm grocery shopping. Can't be on my feet but for a short time before my back starts to hurt."

• Mik...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• December 7, 2021

For Back Pain "I had a spinal fusion with instrumentation back in 2011. I have been taking the yellow hydro tabs for almost 8 of the past 10 years. I was called by my pharmacist back in August, informing me that the manufacturer of the yellow tabs was discontinuing the product. The IP 110 are not anywhere close to being effective. They are weak, and being in pain daily is no fun, to put it mildly. I have a pain management doctor, but she says my options are either this or some implant pain pump. Not gonna happen. The opioid crisis is the cause for those who really need medication to suffer because of the pill mills and unscrupulous doctors that prescribed them to those who either sell them or abuse the drug. The FDA has no authority to change this. Unfortunately, I don’t think we will see any changes for the better anytime soon. It’s been politicized and the hot-button topic for many in the political arena."