Norco Withdrawal Symptoms | Timeline & Detox

If you stop taking Norco abruptly, you may experience withdrawal symptoms such as drug cravings, tiredness, muscle aches, depression, and flu-like symptoms for about 10 to 14 days after last use.

Norco is a brand name opioid painkiller prescribed to treat chronic pain. Its generic name is hydrocodone/acetaminophen. In Ohio and the greater United States, hydrocodone is a Schedule II controlled substance with a high potential for illicit drug use.

Taking Norco frequently for a long period of time can lead to withdrawal symptoms when you try to quit. Abusing Norco can increase your risk of opioid dependence, withdrawal symptoms, a substance use disorder, and other serious side effects.

Norco Withdrawal Symptoms

Opiate withdrawal syndrome can include both mental and physical symptoms, such as:

• nausea
• opioid cravings
• muscle aches
• diarrhea
• hot flashes
• runny nose
• excessive sweating
• goosebumps
• stomach cramps
• symptoms of depression or anxiety

These withdrawal symptoms can occur when you have a physical dependency on Norco. 

Physical dependence is a state where your body requires hydrocodone to function normally. Your body may be used to Norco binding to opioid receptors, and may show symptoms of withdrawal when you stop taking Norco.

Norco Withdrawal Timeline

The withdrawal process for Norco can start less than 1 day after your last dose. Symptoms may progress from mild to severe as the time since your last dose increases.

Acute hydrocodone withdrawal symptoms can last for 10 to 14 days after the last dose. Some patients may experience post-acute withdrawal syndrome (PAWS), a condition where symptoms sporadically appear between periods of stable health.

Opioid Withdrawal Management & Treatment Options

The severity and discomfort of opioid withdrawal symptoms may lead patients to relapse into Norco use. The cycle of opioid dependency, withdrawal, and relapse can be difficult to treat without a professional treatment program.

Medical Detox

Detoxification, or detox, can refer to the process of cleansing habit-forming substances from your system. Due to the likelihood of withdrawal while going through a drug detox, many patients can benefit from a medical detox program.

A medical detox program offers patients a safe environment with access to medical supervision. Professionals can monitor your Norco withdrawal symptoms and provide treatment if symptoms become serious.

Depending on the severity of your hydrocodone addiction, you may stay at a detox center for the duration of your detox. 

Addiction specialists may prescribe you a tapering schedule, which can reduce the severity of your withdrawal symptoms compared to quitting all at once (“cold turkey”).

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Hydrocodone addiction treatment programs may prescribe methadone or buprenorphine to help you manage your opioid cravings. These medications can act as opioid agonists, binding to the same receptors as opioid drugs to block their negative effects.

Methadone and buprenorphine can be prescribed and taken in controlled environments. Taking these drugs as directed can help you reduce patterns of high-risk opioid use.

Other Treatment Options

Other hydrocodone addiction treatment options may include behavioral therapy, attending support groups, and relapse prevention measures. The effectiveness of each opioid addiction treatment option may vary from patient to patient.

To find out how our inpatient opiate addiction treatment center treats hydrocodone, codeine, oxycodone, and fentanyl addiction, please contact Ohio Recovery Center today.