What is Percocet?
Percocet is a combination medication containing acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication (narcotic), while acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that enhances the effects of oxycodone.
Percocet Uses
- Relieves moderate to severe pain
- Contains an opiate (oxycodone) and a non-opioid (acetaminophen) pain reliever
- Oxycodone changes the brain's response to pain
- Acetaminophen may also reduce fever
How to Use Percocet
- Read the Medication Guide before starting and with each refill.
- Take orally as prescribed, with or without food.
- To reduce nausea, consider lying down with minimal head movement.
- Avoid grapefruit products unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
- For liquid forms, use a proper measuring device, not a household spoon.
- Dosage depends on your condition and response to treatment.
- Follow prescribed dosage, do not increase or take longer than directed.
- May be combined with long-acting opioids or other pain relievers (e.g: ibuprofen, naproxen) for additional pain management.
- Can be addictive; higher risk if you have a history of alcohol addiction. Take as prescribed to minimize addiction risk.
- Inform your doctor if pain persists or worsens.
Secure your health with a second opinion. Make informed decisions and book your appointment today!
Get A Second OpinionPercocet Side Effects
- Back, leg or stomach pain
- Cough
- Fever with or without chills
- Tiredness or weakness
- Hoarseness
- Lower back or side pain
- Painful or difficult urination
- Sore throat
- Ulcers
- Unusual bleeding or bruising
- Bleeding gums
- Blood in urine or stools
- Blue lips and fingernails
- Blurred vision
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Cloudy urine
- Confusion
- Decreased urination
- Difficulty swallowing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Fast, noisy or slow breathing
- General body swelling
- Hives or welts
- Increased sweating
- Muscle aches
- Nervousness
- Nosebleeds
- Pounding in the ears
- Seizures
- Severe constipation, sleepiness, or vomiting
- Skin blisters
- Stomach cramps
- Swelling of the face
- Thirst
- Tightness in the chest
- Trouble breathing
- Weakness or heaviness of the legs
- Weight gain
Essential Precautions for Percocet
- Inform your doctor if you have allergies to opioids or other medications.
- Discuss your medical history, especially brain disorders, breathing problems, liver or kidney disease, mental health conditions and history of substance use disorder.
- Avoid alcohol as it can increase dizziness and drowsiness.
- Older adults may experience increased side effects.
- Pregnant women should use only when necessary due to potential harm to the unborn child.
- The medication passes into breast milk; consult your doctor if breastfeeding.
Note
Do not share this medicine with others. It is against the law to share it. This medicine has only been prescribed for your current condition. Do not use it later for another condition unless your doctor tells you to do so. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should have naloxone available to treat an overdose of opioids. Teach your family or household members about the signs of an overdose of opioid and how to treat it.
Missed Dose
If you are taking this medicine on a regularly scheduled basis and forget to take any dose, take it as soon as you remember it. If it is near the next dosage time, skip the forgotten dose.
Overdose
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or difficulty breathing, give them naloxone if available, then call the poison control center immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include slow/slow breathing, slow heartbeat, coma, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, sweating, stomach/abdominal pain, extreme tiredness, yellowing of eyes/skin, dark urine.
Storage
Store protected from sunlight and moisture at room temperature. Different brands of this medicine have different storage needs. Check the product package for instructions on how to store your brand, or ask your pharmacist for instructions. Keep all drugs away from kids. Don’t flush the medication in the toilet or pour it into the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product properly when it has expired or is no longer needed. For more details, please read the Medication Guide or consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Ready to take control of your health journey? Book your appointment now and start your path towards wellness today!
Book an AppointmentPercocet vs Vicodin
| Percocet | Vicodin |
|---|---|
| Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) is a combination drug consisting of an opioid | Vicodin is a strong prescription pain medicine that contains an opioid |
| This combination medicine is used to help relieve moderate to severe pain. | Used to manage pain that is severe enough to require opioid pain medicine. |
| Brand Name: Percocet | Brand Name: Vicodin |
| Generic Name: acetaminophen and oxycodone | Generic Name: acetaminophen and hydrocodone |
| Percocet contains a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. | Vicodin contains a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone |
