I am going to try to answer this.
First Norco - It is acetaminophen and hydrocodone combined. The acetaminophen is supposed to increase the effects of the hydrocodone. It is of course a opioid and therefore is supposed to be more addictive. It also has more side effects and health risks. But that also depends on how you usually react to meds. I rarely have side effects, but I am aware and concerned for many of the health risks in meds. If you have an allergy to Tylenol you cannot take norco. It can cause dizziness, you shouldn't drive until you know how you will react, kidney issues, heart issue, abdominal pain (probably from the acetaminophen), itching, muscle weakness. I have heard of people taking it for years and getting bleeding ulcers.
Tramadol is a narcotic-like drug and the government has listed it as a narcotic, even though it is not. It is less addictive than norco, but since it is still addictive that is why it gets classed with narcotics. It works much the same as hydrocodone or morphine as a pain reliever but without the highly addictive parts. It also comes in immediate release and extended release. I asked my doctor to prescribe the ER, and I like it much better and it seems to work better than the other. The immediate release I would have to take again within 3-4 hours tops, ER I can take every about 8 hours.Tramadol also works as a mild anti-depressant. The only side effect I have had with tramadol is it has raised my blood pressure, but not much and itching. For some people it can have some pretty mean side effects such as numbness and tingling, abdominal pain and nausea, higher blood pressure, bloating, weakness.

Hope this helps

norco is a combination of hydrocodone and tylenol and is now a class 2 drug which requires a written rx each time it is filled. tramadol is now a class 3 which is good for 5 refills or 6 months whichever comes first. a person needs to be careful not to take more than 3-4gm (3000mg-4000mg) of tylenol each day. the norco is better for pain for pain but since the dea changed classifications and rules its hard to get, at least here in virginia it is. if you have a 7.5/325 you have 7.5mg hydrocodone and 325mg tylenol. i cant take the norco, the hydrocodone makes me sick . i do take the tramadol which helps take the edge off but doesnt take away completely.

My daughter took Tramadol and after a few months usage she got a tic in her face. When we were sure it wasn't going away the doctor took her off of it. The tic lasted for a long time before it stopped. With some people the tic can be permanent. I took Tramadol and got no relief. I do use Norco 7.5/325 but I only take one at bedtime and one when I am in the severest pain ever. There are pros and cons to taking either Norco or Tramadol. There are a lot of side effects to both medications. I do not have any side effects from Norco but that's not true for everyone, I am just lucky. Good luck. Many hugs.

Neither are worth a crap honestly.

I was told by a doctor that tramadol has been linked to many deaths, and is increasing every day. I guess it is not a very stable drug when you are sick and mix it with other medications. My son also had a bad reaction to it as he takes drugs for depression. The doctor said it causes overdoses, when mixed with other drugs. They had six people on tramadol in their die within a year. Although a very large practice, the doctor took all patients that were on it off. Good luck to you!