Percocet® (
oxycodone/APAP) is a prescription medicine commonly used for treating moderate to moderately severe pain. It is important to talk to your healthcare provider about when to take Percocet, as some people need to take it on a scheduled basis, while others only take it on an "as needed" 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. Typically, Percocet is taken every six hours as needed for pain.
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 Percocet for more than a few weeks, do not stop taking it suddenly without your healthcare provider's supervision and approval.
(Click Percocet Dosage for more information on when Percocet should be taken, to find out why it is important that you limit your acetaminophen intake while taking this medication, and for important dosing tips for the drug.)
