Can you take Norco while pregnant?

During pregnancy, women and fetuses are extremely sensitive to substances that enter the body. Because of this increased level of sensitivity, it is recommended women be as drug-free as possible during pregnancy. This includes abstaining from using over-the-counter drugs, illegal substances and prescription medications. Although, some women may need their medications to function in their daily lives.

Norco is a prescription medication used to treat pain and cough issues. It is a combination medication that contains hydrocodone and acetaminophen. It is classified as an opioid narcotic.

If you are currently using Norco and become pregnant or are considering becoming pregnant, be sure to schedule a meeting with your doctor. In general, Norco should only be used by pregnant women if the benefits of using the medication outweigh its potential risks. Your doctor will be able to determine whether using Norco while pregnant is the right decision for your situation.

If you have been using Norco for a prolonged period and you become pregnant, set up a meeting with your doctor as soon as possible to discuss your treatment schedule. Do not abruptly stop using Norco, as this will put you at great risk for experiencing unwanted Norco withdrawal symptoms.

Norco withdrawal symptoms include intense drug cravings, anxiety, depression, muscle aches, runny nose, excessive sweating, fever, stomach cramps, the chills, nausea, vomiting, watery eyes, excessive yawning, rapid heart rate and high blood pressure.

If you no longer wish to use Norco, your doctor will likely gradually reduce your dose over time. Tapering off the medication will give your body time to adjust to less and less Norco while helping you avoid Norco withdrawal symptoms.

Risks of taking Norco while pregnant

Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) puts Norco in the pregnancy risk category C. This category indicates there is not enough human research to determine whether Norco is completely safe or somewhat dangerous to use during pregnancy. For this reason, it is recommended you speak with your doctor about whether using Norco is more beneficial than any of its potential risks.

Other opioid medications have been known to produce negative side effectsin fetuses and newborn babies. These negative effects include excessive fluid in the baby’s brain, glaucoma, a hole in the abdominal wall from which the baby’s intestines stick out, Spinda Bifida and congenital heart defects such as ventricular and atrial septal defects, Tetralogy of Fallot and pulmonary valve stenosis.

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The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.