Yellow Norco 10 325 Discontinued (Top voted first)

What the heck, guys?!?!?
I've been prescribed the yellow, oblong Norcos 10/325 for years and years now (several different illnesses\conditions).
All of a sudden I went to CVS and the pills they gave me were more or less, useless! They were white and smaller. They don't do anything to help my pain.
This sucks! I called CVS and they said that the FDA passed a law stating no more "Norco" could be sold due to the rampant over-abuse. Great. Thanks a lot for those of us who really, genuinely needed that ONE MED that really actually worked and helped. Because of pill-poppers and sellers, I can no longer get the one and only medication that helped me. This sucks. It's wrong. Really wrong. I don't take them to get any high. I take them to make it thru my day.
Anyone else experienced the notification of discontinuation of the Norco, yellow, oblongs? I usually use Express Scripts to fill my scripts, but on short notice, I use CVS. Sometimes it can take up to a month to receive a med, using Express Scripts.
I'm due for a refill. I'm thinking I should call my doctor's assistant and ask her to specifically write out the script for NORCO, instead of just '10/35'.
Anybody have any comments? Any help or suggestions?
THANKS and feel healthy, everyone!!!! <3

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Their not discontinuing Norco..who said that? Watson got bought out by activas and they supposedly just took out the yellow dye..im in same situation..no other brands of it work AT ALL unless I take DOUBLE what I was prescribed. its ridiculous and sickening..im sure the fda and dea is in on this. that's why there hasn't been any recall..if I had the money to have this tested I would but the one place I found wants $400 to test it. cuz I am POSITIVE they only put maybe half or less mg of the hydrocodone in these. and that would be illegal but I don't have any money to spend.

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Hi Francessca. I too have been given the new white Norco and it is not the same. I am experiencing stomach pains, headaches, fuzzy eyesight, and extreme drowsiness. I called Walgreens and got a pathetic line about the dye being removed and there is no difference. I take the pills daily and I say there is a big difference. I am also in agreement with you that the "lay about pill poppers" abused our medication and we are paying the price. I cannot take these new pills and function. What's worse is they probably collect some type of welfare while you are I are going to work in pain on a daily basis.

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This is sorta late answering your question about the brand Norco, but after 10 years of use for chronic pain I can assure you it is absolutely a difference if you are not getting Norco. My physician wrote for the name brand only. It is extremely expensive so all insurances companies want you to take Anything but this. Good luck to you and God Bless

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not complaining about the cost I do have insurance so that's not the problem the problem is Watson has changed the medication that helped me tolerate my pain nerve pain never stops hurting but I could at least get thru my day without suffering like I am now and they are not telling the truth about it just being the dye they removed

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I just called actavis/watson and complained about the new white Norcos there TERRIBLE everyone should call and complain heres the number 1-800-272-5525 ext34399 im going to have to change my script if they dont change back I've been on the yellows for 10 years and now im in alot of pain with these white watson norcos there completely different it's more than dye they changed the pill and are lying to all of us patients that really need these pills.

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I was given 240/month until NY went full electronic, now only 180/month allowed, and my doctor cannot override with this new electronic bs. NY state is hell, cant wait to get out. Not allowed to defend myself (CCW) and not allowed proper pain management, all due to the lowest, criminal, common denominator.

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Lira is correct. Chronic pain patients need to learn other methods of pain management they can use when using ER meds instead of uisng breakthrough meds. Chronic pain patients must adjust their lifestyle.

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BL, No his doctor was not lying to him. The DEA can do as they wish when it comes to narcotics. They monitor every doctor and their patients for ov r prescribing. Innocent doctors have gone to jail for not even doing anythinwrong. And now, Hydrocodone-acetomenaphin has been raised to a schedule 2 drug. You should probably read up on it instead of presenting misinformation.

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I hate to say this but you have just joined the ranks of ALL of the rest of us that the govt. is interrupting our ability to have some sort of productive life so they can get to "drug addicts" (they're explanation). Our GREAT pres. Did ask congress for a multi billion dollar amount of money to "pay doctors to alleviate some of their loss of income" due to the govt. taking over their right to prescribe appropriate medications to chronic pain patients. They are losing some of their financial livelihood while we are only LOSING OUR LIVES!!!! I no longer have any dreams or aspirations that with some medication and still enduring gut wrenching pain, I could still be somewhat a GRANDMOTHER AND WIFE. I am now a wretched, pain numbed, dejected and confused ex-patient. I have a list of 14 Chronic validated pain conditions, am permanently disabled, and all I get to do now is wonder how THIS goverment interference in my MEDICAL CONDITIONS ARE making it BETTER!!!! For who????
I do not have Medicaid. I have 2 commercial health insurances and Medicare as a secondary that I never file. It's a travesty. I have written my legislators and they responded, thanking me for my input, and assuring me they are "studying" the situation.
They can study all they want. We are Miserable, Withdrawing and a lot of us are seeking illegal substitutes and dying. My family doctor is retiring this year in bitter disgust at our plight. SEEMS EVERYONE IS GIVING UP!!!
JUST NOT THE DEA LETTING UP!!!
Where do we go from here???

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Hello,

I'm sorry to hear about the problems you are all experiencing with this new pill. You aren't the first to post with complaints about the new white tablet.

It sounds like you've all spoken with your pharmacy, but had no luck. Based on what I've read, it's likely that your pharmacist didn't have any other information for you, because so far all the available information about this new Watson pill claims the tablets as being identical and that they have only removed the dye that was in them. However, I have also read that they may have taken out a small amount of acetaminophen due to the fact it can cause liver damage. I'm not sure if that's true, but I suppose the truth will have to come out eventually!

I suggest trying a different brand, it seems as though some people have had success by doing so.

Here's a link to a thread that might be of help: Discuss/Watson-853-White-or-Yellow-Pill-246480.htm

Does anyone else have more information to share?

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you get REFILLS ON NORCO? HOW??? that was made illegal in florida..I have been havng to pay $200 EVERY 28 DAYS FOR OVER A YEAR NOW just for Norco 4 a day r u on like 1 or 2 a day? is a pain management dr doing this or a primary care? you sure are lucky that's for damn sure

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if u have insurance and haven't been having to pay $350 a month for dr and meds you shouldn't be complaining. im about to be I withdrawal because of this crap. my pain dr doesn't care about people only about money and it is sickening. there are no primary care drs who will treat pain anymore in florida thanks to the dea

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Refills are allowed on Schedule III meds, but not on Schedule II meds. As of today, New York state is the only state where hydrocodone combination products are Schedule II, it was effective February 23, 2013. The other states are going by Federal Law which states hydrocodone combination products are Schedule III. BUT, with the recommendations of the FDA's REMS Committee on January 30, 2013, Federal Law is in the process of changing hydrocodone combination products to Schedule II for all the states. It will take a little time, but not much. Also with Schedule II, they cannot be called or faxed, they must be written and with no refills.

Did your doctor tell you that there were no refills on your Norco ?

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Has anyone heard anything else about these white Watson 853 10/325? I posted a new thread today in the Norco forum but received no response. I am at a loss here. I have taken pain meds for 10+ yrs and have had every brand with not ONE issue before until I just got my monthly prescription yesterday and was given these. These things are absolute garbage. They are completely ineffective and I think we deserve answers. Nobody is going to look out for people who suffer in pain. They never have due to the stigma attached. It's up to us. We need to organize and do something about this. There is severe tort here on the manufacturer and we deserve answers and explanations. This is not psychosomatic.... There is something DEAD WRONG and people are ending up back in spirit crushing pain that these medications relieved.

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It is not a requirement for your Pain Management doctor to prescribe you a time release pill, as well as a "breakthrough" med for pain. This only creates issues for people, such as quicker rise in tolerance to opiates, making your physical dependency worse, as well as the chance for accidental overdose. If your doctor has weighed these risks, for the benefits of this type of Pain Control, then that is up to your doctor; but there is absolutely nothing that says norco is specifically for breakthrough pain, and that you must have an ER opiate medication in conjunction.

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HAVE BEEN ON NORCO TEN FOR MANY YEARS. 180 A MONTH THEN WITHOUT WARNING DEA SAYS MAX IS 120 A MONTH. WHY THE F#!$ ARE THEY IN MY DOCTORS OFFICE? MY DOCTOR HAS THE DEGREE AND PERSONAL KNOWLEDGE OF MY CONDITIONS. DR. SAYS DON'T STOP TAKING OR IT WILL CAUSE WITHDRAW EFFECTS AND POSSIBLE LIFE THREATENING SIDE EFFECTS. NOW I HAVE A SCRIPT I CAN'T FILL! WHAT PILL DO I ASK FOR NOW? IS THERE ANYTHING AVAILABLE THAT WORKS AS WELL? PLEASE HELP!!

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Join the rest of us that are suffering with real pain, I'm with you man, we get s*** on again! F****g drug addicts, and people who sell them to supplement their damn income.

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I totally agree with you!!! I have had a major issue with my back that has been operated on but theres nothing else that can be done. Ifeel like I am punished for other peoples mis-use.

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I had the same issue around 2013 as well. Fast track to today 2016. My pharmacy told me it wasn't that they were being discontinued it was just hard to get because they modified the original NorCo to a less addictive ingredient. It still has the same agents just different makeup. I had to take the whites on two different occasions and vomited horribly, felt like I had a hangover and never in my life have I had any issues or side effects from Norco. She has to order mine in because she knows I can't take the white generic version. So my pharmacist only keeps them on hand for me. Try talking to your local CVS and explain to them the issue and they should be able to accommodate you. I feel your pain I have been through 10 back surgeries a shoulder replacement and getting ready for my knee at the age of 37. Sports related.

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Dean, I live in Tennessee. It is another world here in the South for medications. Can you post a website about the pain rating system in NY emergency rooms you are speaking of? I would be more than glad to help our plight in any way. I read here that people are complaining about driving 2 hours to a doctors office every month. What would people think about the fact that FLY TO TEXAS every 28 days for medication?

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