Percocet Dosage

The recommended Percocet dosage for most strengths of the drug is one tablet every six hours as needed for pain. For the remaining strength (Percocet 2.5/325 mg), the recommended dose is one or two tablets every six hours as needed for pain. It's important not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dose of Percocet, as this could lead to overdose symptoms or to poisoning from the acetaminophen component.

 

An Introduction to Percocet Dosages

The dose of Percocet® (oxycodone/APAP) your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • How you respond to Percocet
  • Other medications you are taking
  • Other medical conditions you may have.
     
As is always the case, do not adjust your dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Percocet Dose for Pain

The recommended dose for Percocet 2.5/325 mg tablets is one or two tablets, taken every six hours as needed for pain. For all the other strengths, the recommended dose is one tablet, taken every six hours as needed for pain. In some cases (such as for severe pain or for people who have become tolerant to Percocet), higher doses may be recommended, up to certain maximums. Refer to the following table for the maximum number of tablets per day:
 
Strength
Maximum Per Day
Percocet 2.5/325 mg
12 tablets
Percocet 5/325 mg
12 tablets
Percocet 7.5/325 mg
8 tablets
Percocet 7.5/500 mg
8 tablets
Percocet 10/325 mg
6 tablets
Percocet 10/650 mg
6 tablets
 
Percocet contains acetaminophen. It is very important to limit the total dose of acetaminophen to 4 grams (4000 mg) a day or less. Higher doses increase the risk of serious liver damage. Make sure to watch for any other sources of acetaminophen, including other prescription pain relievers and many over-the-counter products, such as Tylenol®. To be safe, all other acetaminophen products should be avoided while you are taking Percocet, unless you are extremely careful to limit your total acetaminophen use (from all sources added together) to 4 grams per day. The acetaminophen content of Percocet is 325 mg, 500 mg, or 650 mg, depending on the strength.
 
(Percocet Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;