Norco is a brand name for the combination prescription drug acetaminophen/hydrocodone. It’s used to treat moderate to severe pain. Vicodin, Lorcet, and Lortab are other brand names for this combination, which is also available as a generic. Hydrocodone is a narcotic, while acetaminophen is a mild painkiller. Combined, they belong to a class of drugs called opioid analgesics, which work by blocking certain nerve cell receptors in the brain.