Drug description

Percocet is a pain reliever that contains both oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever. An opioid is also known as a narcotic. Acetaminophen helps enhance the effects of oxycodone.

Percocet helps treat moderate to severe pain. Due to the risks of abuse, addiction, and misuse, even at recommended doses, Percocet is only prescribed when treatment with non-opioid pain relievers has not been tolerated or provided adequate pain relief.

Important Information

You should not take Percocet if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other opioid medications. Do not use Percocet if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine, or have received a methylene blue injection.

Oxycodone has the potential to slow or stop your breathing and is habit-forming. To avoid a potentially fatal dose, take only the prescribed dose and swallow the pill whole.

Never share Percocet with someone else. You can order Percocet online with a prescription. Do not use more Percocet than is recommended. An oxycodone or acetaminophen overdose (both of which are present in Percocet) can be deadly.

Contact your doctor immediately if you have upper stomach pain, nausea, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice. If the mother took Percocet while pregnant, the oxycodone (found in Percocet) might cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

If you experience skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor immediately.

You could have fatal side effects if you combine Percocet with alcohol or other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing. Do not use Percocet if you have severe asthma, breathing problems, or a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

What to know before taking Percocet?

Do not take Percocet if you are allergic to any of its ingredients, including acetaminophen or oxycodone, or if you have any of the following conditions:

• Severe asthma or breathing difficulties
• A blockage in your intestines or stomach

To make sure Percocet is suitable for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• Liver disease
• Kidney disease
• A head injury or seizures
• Breathing problems, sleep apnea
• A drug or alcohol addiction
• Urination problems
• Problems with your thyroid, pancreas, or gallbladder

You should only take this medication when required during pregnancy. It has the potential to harm an unborn child. If you become pregnant while taking oxycodone, do not stop taking it abruptly without first consulting your doctor. You may need to decrease your dosage gradually.

Do not breastfeed. Oxycodone passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. If you are breastfeeding before using oxycodone, inform your doctor.

How to take Percocet?

• Take Percocet as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take Percocet in more significant amounts or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can harm your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if you develop an increased urge to take more of this medicine.
• If you require surgery or medical tests, notify your doctor ahead of time that you are taking Percocet.
• You should not abruptly discontinue the use of Percocet. Follow your doctor’s recommendations for tapering your dose.
• Always store Percocet at room temperature, away from moisture and heat. Keep a record of your medications. You should be aware if someone is misusing or using it without a prescription.

Percocet side effects

Oxycodone can cause your breathing to slow or stop, and death may occur. If you have slow breathing with long breaks, blue lips, or are difficult to wake up, someone caring for you should administer naloxone and seek emergency medical attention.

Acetaminophen can cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal in rare cases. This could happen even if you have taken acetaminophen or Tylenol with no adverse effects. If you experience skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling, stop taking this medication and contact your doctor immediately.

Common side effects of Percocet include

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired
• Constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain
• Headache
• Itching, red eyes, or flushing
• Feelings of extreme happiness or sadness
• Dry mouth

Serious side effects

• Noisy breathing, sighing, shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep.
• Slow heartbeat or weak pulse
• Cold, clammy skin
• A light-headed feeling, like you, might pass out
• Weakness, tiredness, fever, unusual bruising, or bleeding
• Confusion, unique thoughts, or behavior
• Seizure
• Problems with urination
• Signs of liver problems include nausea, upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• Vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.
• High levels of serotonin in the body – agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting.