Any narcotics can cause itching First make sure you are not allergic. If you are it will get worse. You should try a antihistamine. My favorite is zxyal. It a newer one but no side effects for me. If that doesnt work you may need to switch meds. Good luck, Laura

Thanks Laura. I take so much medication - but make sure to have all scripts filled at the same pharmacy just to make sure there are no potential problems with taking everything I need. I live on Benadryl and sometimes get Xyzal when I can. I have just lost my insurance so I will be shopping diligently for a while.

Thanks.

I had that when I took Norco the last time. This time my new dr ordered my script as vicodan (generic), and the itching is gone. I feel that this was caused in me by the particular dye used in the previous formula.
It's worth a try to switch to another formula if you find that this medication is helping your pain!

You need to ask your Doctor to switch your medication, you are obviously allergic to a component on the Norco. I get the same reaction with Morphine, so as soon as my Doctor put me on Morphine and I started itching, he switched me to something else. Allergies to medications do happen, and this Doc needs to get a clue! I can't believe that he will say that it is Psychological, give me a freaking break!!!
I hope that he listens to you..... Take care,

Itching is a possible side effect of ALL opioids. Alternatively, it can be an allergic reaction to some other component of the medication. Just switch to something else.

I take Norco and no, I don't itch. I have no known allergies at all.

Yes I too get the itching. Seems like it comes on after my 3rd dose of the day. It's not intense or anything but it's quite annoying. Could be an allergy. Ask you Dr about it for sure.

~hugs

I, too, have experienced severe itching with certain narcotics. Like you, it was bad to the point where I would scratch until I had scabs, mostly in my sleep. It was terrible. I actually got a really bad skin infection because of it.
So ANY opiate can cause itching. It is very common.

However, as others have said, itching could also be an allergic reaction. My advice would be to try to switch to a new medication and see if you still experience the itching.
If not, it was something in the Norco. If so, it may be something you just have to live with on narcotics. Or, you could try a drug that is not as strong. In my experience, I would have the itching the most when I took something particularly strong.

Good luck!

Yes, I have also had that problem. Mostly is was on my legs, and I would put Sarna on it and I use Zyrtec and that also helps too. I have family members that have had same thing happen too. My aunt had a knee replacement, and she also had the same thing happen! It's not just you, and yes it sucks bad!

when i started taking norco 4 years ago i didnt have a problem, but after being on it so long my body started to reject it. i built up a tolorance thru it and now im on percocet. the difference is amazing for both my skin and pain. i dont have to take as many killers to feel better. also- u can use madurma for the scarring...it works great. after the 3 use of it, u can c the change....good luck- god bless

I itched on it for a long time and then it finally got better. Then I would only itch in the summer more then I first did.

I get itchy too, not to the extent that you do, but generally my arms and back. If it gets that bad, you can mix that itch cream (the name escapes me) and some OTC cortisone cream.

My standby is the "Chinese back scratcher (or monkey paw). I have an old one from like the 1950s-60s which I keep in my collection of unusual things. I don't use that one, but I have 2 made of bamboo. The dogs really dig it when I use it on them.

-Snake

I can relate, i itch at night from oxycodone, not during the day, weird!

I have multiple medication allergies (started with anaphylaxis to penicillen at age 9 months) and as time goes by I seem to develop more and more, and they seem to more severe (I've since had multiple anaphylaxic to different medications, all unrelated to one another). Allergies to medications are not physcological; they exist and if not treated or the medication stopped, the reaction can become life-threatening, if not on the first exposure, then the second, third or fifth time you take it.

Since we're talking about narcotics, your doctor doctors may think you're trying to get a stronger pain medication instead of having a bonafide allergic reaction. You shouldn't have to live on Benadryl or antihistamines, nor should you have to experience the intense itching, sores or scabs.

This isn't psychological; this is real. A medication that doesn't have hydrocodone in it (the narcotic in Norco) is about the only solution (provided you know you're not allergic to acetaminophen (the active ingredient in Tylenol). A different brand may help (generic vicodin, lortab, etc.) but it's unlikely. It really sounds like you have an allergy to hydrocodone and need a different medication (perhaps codeine instead of the artificial derivative) instead.

Talk with your PCM (or whomever you see for medical issues) and insist a different pain medication be prescribed. Emphasize that you're not looking for something stronger, just something that will treat the pain without the itch. You cannot and will not live with a constant allergic reaction.

For treating the itch, calamine lotion might work (I'm not a fan of Benadryl because it's systemic and one more tablet to take and the cream gets absorbed into the bloodstream). It's not pretty, but may help. Go back to wearing socks on your hands, just like we do for babies, so you can avoid the nighttime scratching. For treating the scars, shea butter (100%; find a food coop over a health food store) and heavy duty sunscreen (at least SPF 30 or higher) to ensure the new tissue doesn't get exposed to sun.

Please be very insistent with the doctor about the medication. This is your life and you need to take charge. I speak from first-hand experience, you don't this allergy to develop into a more severe allergic reaction.