Lortab is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It is an opioid pain medication, an opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. It is also commonly used to treat health conditions such as post-surgery pain and chronic non-cancer-related pain. Lortab pain medication comes in the form of capsules, either instant- or timed-release doses. It can also be injected or taken rectally. Other brand names for the drug include Hydrocodone, Lorcet-HD, and Vicodin.