Percocet® (oxycodone/APAP) is a prescription medication approved to treat moderate to moderately severe pain. It is a narcotic and is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance, which means that special laws and regulations control its sale and use. Schedule II controlled substances have the highest abuse potential of all legal prescription medications.
Brand-name Percocet is made by Endo Pharmaceuticals.
Generic Percocet is made by various manufacturers.
Percocet contains two different medications:
acetaminophen and oxycodone hydrochloride. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic narcotic opioid pain reliever. It is chemically related to codeine. Oxycodone is effective at decreasing pain and relieving coughing, but also causes drowsiness and decreased breathing.
Acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer commonly found in non-prescription medications such as
Tylenol®. APAP is an acronym for one of the chemical names for acetaminophen. Adding acetaminophen to oxycodone makes both medications more effective at relieving pain and may limit the abuse potential of oxycodone, as the maximum dose of Percocet is typically limited by the acetaminophen content.
General considerations for when and how to take Percocet include the following:
- The medication comes in tablet form. It is taken by mouth, usually every six hours as needed for pain.
- It is best to take Percocet with food, as this may help reduce stomach upset.
- Percocet is either taken "as needed" or on a scheduled basis. "As needed" means you will only take a dose if you are experiencing pain (if you are not in pain, you will skip the dose), while "scheduled use" means you should take it on schedule, even if you are not in pain. Most healthcare providers prescribe the drug on an "as needed" basis, rather than a scheduled basis.
- Be careful not to exceed the maximum recommended daily dose, as this could lead to overdose symptoms or to poisoning from the acetaminophen component, which can cause liver failure.
- You may want to consider taking a laxative along with Percocet (especially if you will take it regularly for more than a few days), as the medication often causes constipation (see Percocet and Constipation).
- For Percocet to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or take it more frequently than prescribed without your healthcare provider's approval. If you have been taking the drug for more than a few weeks, do not stop taking it suddenly without your healthcare provider's supervision (see Percocet Withdrawal).
People may become addicted to Percocet. In fact, this is a commonly abused drug. It is readily available and inexpensive, especially in generic form. However, it is important to distinguish between actual abuse of a drug and a physical dependence on it. Because Percocet is a highly desired drug of abuse, people often obtain it through illegal means, such as from foreign countries or online sources that do not require a prescription. People who abuse the drug and suddenly stop using it are likely to experience withdrawal symptoms.
For more information, visit the following eMedTV articles:
The dose of Percocet your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to the medication
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As is always the case, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
Just like any medicine, Percocet can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. Most people tolerate it well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Common side effects include but are not limited to:
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation (see Percocet and Constipation)
- Itching
- An unexplained pleasant feeling (euphoria) or an unexplained unpleasant feeling (dysphoria).
(Click Percocet Side Effects to learn more, including potentially serious side effects you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Percocet?
Talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking Percocet if you have:
- A history of drug or alcohol dependence
- Gallbladder or pancreas disease
- Liver disease, such as cirrhosis, liver failure, or hepatitis
- Kidney disease, such as kidney failure (renal failure)
- A head injury or high intracranial pressure
- Severe abdominal (stomach) pain
- Hypothyroidism
- Addison's disease
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- An enlarged prostate (benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH)
- Lung disease of any sort
- Seizures or epilepsy
- Any allergies, including allergies to foods, dyes, or preservatives.
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
What If I Take an Overdose?
People who take too much Percocet may have overdose symptoms that could include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme drowsiness, leading to coma
- Cold, clammy skin
- A slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Cardiac arrest
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sweating
- Liver failure
- Death.
If you happen to take too much, seek immediate medical attention.
How Should Percocet Be Stored?
The tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep Percocet and all other medications out of the reach of children. Because this is a highly desired drug of abuse, make sure to keep it in a safe place.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose?
Percocet is often prescribed "as needed," which means you do not need to take a dose if you do not feel pain. If you forget to take a dose and notice significant pain, take your missed dose right away. However, make sure to wait the recommended time before the next dose.
Percocet tablets are available in the following strengths:
- Percocet 2.5/325 mg -- 2.5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 325 mg of acetaminophen
- Percocet 5/325 mg -- 5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 325 mg of acetaminophen
- Percocet 7.5/325 mg -- 7.5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 325 mg of acetaminophen
- Percocet 7.5/500 mg -- 7.5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 500 mg of acetaminophen
- Percocet 10/325 mg -- 10 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 325 mg of acetaminophen
- Percocet 10/650 mg -- 10 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride and 650 mg of acetaminophen.
Be sure that your healthcare provider writes the strength on your prescription. At one point, Percocet 5/325 mg was the only strength available, and many healthcare providers became accustomed to simply writing prescriptions for the medication without including the strength. However, since more strengths are available, your pharmacist will not be able to fill your prescription if your healthcare provider forgets to include the strength.
Several different generic versions of Percocet are available
(see Generic Percocet).
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print