About Percocet
Percocet's active ingredients are oxycodone, a narcotic (opiate)
pain medication (analgesic), and acetaminophen (a non-narcotic pain
medication), which relieves pain better than either medication taken
alone. Oxycodone acts on the central nervous system and smooth muscle
tissue, slowing the central nervous system. It is not clear exactly
how acetaminophen works to ease pain.
Percocet is only available by prescription.
Percocet has few side effects when taken as recommended by your
doctor, but some cautions should be observed. Interactions
may occur with certain medications that could alter or increase
the effect of either Percocet, or the other medication. While Percocet
is a highly effective pain reliever, it has been associated with
an increased risk of addiction when used improperly, or for too
long. Never take Percocet in greater doses, or for a longer period
of time, than recommended by your doctor.
Percocet Side Effects
Percocet side effects are usually mild, and tend to diminish over
time. As with all narcotic pain medications, it can impair performance.
Driving or operating heavy machinery is not advised, as Percocet
can interfere with mental and physical abilities. Become familiar
with your reaction to Percocet before performing potentially hazardous
tasks while taking it.
Common Percocet side effects: are constipation, dizziness,
dry mouth, headache, itching, nausea, sedation, sweating, vomiting,
or weakness. If you feel lightheaded or nauseous, lying down may
alleviate these symptoms.
Breathing: High doses of Percocet, or patient sensitivity,
can cause breathing irregularity or other respiratory depression.
Respiratory depression is the most serious likely side effect of
Percocet, and may be more likely with certain combinations of medication.
Check the drug interaction list carefully, and be cautious with
any drug that slows the central nervous system or 'may cause drowsiness.'
If you have breathing difficulties, Percocet may not be right for
you.
Head Injuries: Oxycodone's narcotic effects can cause an
increase of pressure in the cerebral and spinal fluid. If a patient
has suffered a head injury, both the pressure increase and the respiratory
suppression can be exaggerated. Oxycodone may interfere with an
accurate diagnosis or treatment of head injuries.
Acute Abdominal Conditions: Percocet may interfere with diagnosis and treatment of acute abdominal conditions.
Dependence: Mental and physical dependence can develop if
Percocet is used for long periods of time. Long use of oxycodone
can create a tolerance condition where the medication no longer
works at the initial dosage. Acetaminophen is not known to cause
dependence.
Overdose: Oxycodone overdose is characterized by slowed
breathing, extreme drowsiness progressing to stupor or coma, limp
muscles, or cold, clammy skin. Severe oxycodone overdose may result
in death due to cardiac arrest or stopped breathing. Acetaminophen
overdose can result in severe liver poisoning, but rarely has this
effect in doses under 10g. An overdose of acetaminophen may not
show symptoms for two to four days, but must be treated within twenty-for
hours to prevent liver damage or death. Seek emergency medical treatment
immediately if you suspect an overdose.
Percocet dosage for adults is usually started at one tablet every
12 hours at a dosage of 20-60mg, and may be increased gradually
if patient develops a tolerance or is in extreme pain. Dosage rarely
exceeds 160mg per day. Severe side effects rarely occur at the prescribed
dosage of Percocet.
Many cases of drug overdose involving prescription medications
are related to mixing drugs that accelerate each other's effects.
Never mix a powerful medication like Percocet with another prescription
drug that you or your physician suspect may not be safe. Never mix
Percocet with over the counter medications that have not been approved
by your doctor or pharmacist, and avoid mixing it with street drugs
of any type. Ignoring drug interaction warnings has resulted in
fatal overdose in some patients.
Cautions: Percocet should be prescribed with caution to patients
with Addison's disease or kidney, liver, thyroid, or urogenital
tract problems. Tell your doctor if you have ever had an allergic
reaction to Percocet, or any other medication.
Percocet Interactions
Percocet works by slowing the central nervous system. It should
be used with caution with other drugs that have similar effects.
Percocet can change or increase the effects of certain drugs, and
your physician should be advised if you are taking any of the following.
- Alcohol - Oxycodone and alcohol can accelerate central nervous
system depression. Avoid mixing the two, as this could result
in a fatal overdose. Alcohol use combined with acetaminophen can
accelerate or increase the risk of liver damage or stomach bleeding.
- Antihistamines like Tavist or Benadryl
- Aspirin (or any salicylate, such as salicylamide, or salicylic
acid) can cause kidney or liver damage when taken in high doses,
and over long periods of time, in combination with acetaminophen.
When taken in the recommended doses, for a short time, it has
not been seen to produce this effect.
- Benzodiazepines (a class of antidepressants, anti-panic agents,
and muscle relaxants) such as Ativan
(lorazepam), Valium (diazepam),
Halcion (triazolam), Restoril (temazepam), Librium(chlordiazepoxide),
Xanax (alprazolam),
Tranxene-SD (clorazepate), Paxipam (halazepam), ProSom (estazolam),
Klonopin (clonazepam),
and others, should be used cautiously with Percocet.
- Desyrel (trazodone) - Risk of additive
CNS depression.
- MAO inhibitors - Oxycodone must not be mixed with MAO (monoamine
oxidase) inhibitors such as the antidepressants Nardil, Marplan,
or Parnate. It should not be used within 2 weeks of stopping these
medications.
- Narcotic pain medication of any other kind, like Codeine, Demerol
(meperidine), Buprenex (buprenorphine), Darvon (propoxyphene),
Dilaudid (hydromorphone), MS Contin or Kadian (morphine), nalbuphine,
OxyContin (oxycodone),
Stadol (butorphanol), Talwin compound (pentazocine), Vicodin
(hydrocodone, acetaminophen), or Vicoprofen
(hydrocodone, ibuprofen) should not be mixed with Percocet.
- Norflex (orphenadrine) - Risk of oversedation.
- Oral contraceptives - These may interact with acetaminophen
- Sedatives like Fioricet
(butalbital, acetaminophen, and caffeine), Fiorinal,
Phenobarbitol, Seconal, or other barbiturates.
- Sleep medication like Ambien
(zolpidem), Sonata (zaleplon),
or over the counter sleeping pills should be used with oxycodone
only as, and if, advised by your doctor.
- Skeletal muscle relaxants - such as Flexeril
(cyclobenzaprine), Skelaxin (metaxalone), Soma (carisoprodol),
or Robaxin (methocarbamol)
may increase respiratory depression when mixed with oxycodone.
- Street drugs of any type must never be mixed with Percocet
as this could result in a fatal overdose.
- Tranquilizers such as Haldol (haloperidol), Mellaril (thioridazine),
or Thorazine (chlorpromazine) may cause oversedation.
- Trexan (naltrexone) - Causes narcotic pain medication to be
ineffective.
- Tricyclic antidepressants such as Elavil
(amitriptyline), Asendin (amoxapine), Anafranil (clomipramine),
Pertofrane or Norpramin (desipramine), Sinequan
(doxepin), Tofranil (imipramine), Aventyl or Pamelor (nortriptyline),
Vivactil (protriptyline), and Surmontil (trimipramine), may increase
the central nervous system suppressant effects from either the
antidepressant, or the oxycodone.
- Ultram (tramadol)
- Zidovudine (AZT, Retrovir) - Narcotic pain medication increases
blood levels of this drug, potentially making side effects more
severe.
In addition to the above medications, tell your doctor if you are
using any other major antidepressants or central nervous system
depressants in combination with Percocet. Be cautious about taking
Percocet with any medicine warning that it 'may cause drowsiness.'
Do not mix this oxycodone-acetaminophen combination with over the
counter pain medication; acetaminophen can cause liver damage when
mixed with certain pain medications. Check any cold or flu medication
you may need to take to be sure it does not contain additional pain
medication.
Percocet Dosages
Percocet dosage for adults is usually started at one tablet every
12 hours, but may be increased gradually if patient develops a tolerance
or is in extreme pain.
Percocet is manufactured in the following dosages (oxycodone /
acetaminophen):
- Percocet CII 2.5 mg/ 325 mg tablets
- Percocet CII 5 mg/ 325 mg tablets
- Percocet CII 7.5 mg/ 325 mg tablets
- Percocet CII 10 mg/ 325 mg tablets
- Percocet CII 7.5 mg/ 500 mg tablets
- Percocet CII 10 mg/ 650 mg tablets
Percocet Directions
If you miss a dose of Percocet, take it as soon as you remember.
If you are within an hour or so of your next dose, skip the missed
dose and go back to your schedule. Taking double doses of Percocet
is not recommended, as it may lead to an overdose or dependence.
Do not crush tablets before taking, as this could release the drug
into the bloodstream too fast, possibly resulting in an overdose.
Percocet and Pregnancy
Percocet has not been well studied for effects during pregnancy.
Caution is advised in prescribing Percocet to pregnant women.
Babies born to mothers taking opiates like oxycodone can experience withdrawal symptoms after birth. The oxycodone withdrawal symptoms in the baby may include: irritability, hyperactivity, tremors, faster breathing, increased stools, fever, vomiting, sneezing, and yawning. The severity of the symptoms is not always tied to how much, or how long the
mother used oxycodone (or other opiate).
Percocet and Children
Percocet has not been well studied for effects on children.
Percocet and Seniors
Percocet does not seem to affect the senior population differently,
but lower starting dosages are recommended. There is a higher occurrence
among the elderly of Addison's disease or kidney, liver, thyroid,
or urogenital tract problems. Percocet should be prescribed with
care to these patients, and the elderly may have to be watched more
carefully for respiratory depression. Percocet should be used cautiously
with any patient in a weakened condition.
Percocet is a trademark of Endo Pharmaceuticals
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The information contained in this document is provided for educational purposes
and information only. It is not a
substitute for consultation with a physician or Health professional, either to diagnose
symptoms or prescribe treatment. Any dosages mentioned are general
guidelines only, please follow the directions of your doctor or
pharmacist exactly when taking medication. We have made every effort to
ensure that this information is accurate, but only your doctor,
physician or Health professional can say
if a medication, a drug alternative or drug combination, is safe for you. Information
intended for US residents only.
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