Norco is a combination medication that contains hydrocodone (an opioid) and acetaminophen (an analgesic). It's used to manage pain for people who've tried non-opioid drugs but haven't gotten enough relief. Norco (hydrocodone/acetaminophen) is a tablet that's taken by mouth. It takes about thirty minutes to start working. Common symptoms include constipation, nausea, and sleepiness. It can be controlled because it has a high risk of misuse and dependency.