Percocet is a prescription pain medication that combines oxycodone, an opioid, with acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever.[1][2] It is used to relieve pain when treatment with an opioid is considered appropriate, but it carries risks including misuse, physical dependence, opioid use disorder, respiratory depression, overdose, and acetaminophen-related liver injury.
Because Percocet already contains acetaminophen, check the active ingredients of other prescription and over-the-counter medicines before taking them together. Do not exceed the acetaminophen amount directed on your medication label or by your healthcare professional.[3]
What Is Percocet, and What Is Percocet Used For?
Percocet is prescribed when pain relief is needed and the potential benefits of an opioid are considered to outweigh its risks. Because it contains oxycodone, it can cause drowsiness, respiratory depression, physical dependence, tolerance, misuse, and opioid use disorder. The acetaminophen component also creates a risk of serious liver injury if too much is taken.
Percocet should be taken only as prescribed. Taking more than prescribed, taking it more often, or using someone else’s prescription can increase the risk of serious harm.
How Does Percocet Work?
Oxycodone binds to opioid receptors in the nervous system. This changes how the brain and body process pain signals. Because opioid receptors also affect alertness, breathing, and gastrointestinal function, oxycodone can cause drowsiness, constipation, and respiratory depression in addition to pain relief. Opioid exposure can also lead to tolerance and physical dependence with repeated use.
Acetaminophen works through different mechanisms and provides additional pain-relieving effects. Unlike oxycodone, it is not an opioid.
What Are the Side Effects of Percocet?
Percocet can cause side effects even when it is taken as prescribed.
Common side effects
Possible effects associated with oxycodone/acetaminophen include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
The severity and likelihood of side effects can vary depending on the person, the medication strength, other medicines or substances being used, and other health factors.
Serious side effects
Some effects require urgent medical attention. These include:
- Slow, shallow, difficult, or stopped breathing
- Extreme sleepiness or inability to wake
- Severe sedation
- Severe allergic reaction
- Symptoms that may indicate serious liver injury, such as yellowing of the skin or eyes
Respiratory depression is one of the most serious opioid-related risks. Current oxycodone/acetaminophen labeling warns that life-threatening or fatal respiratory depression can occur.
Emergency warning: If someone who may have taken Percocet cannot be awakened or is breathing very slowly or not at all, give naloxone if available and call emergency medical services immediately.
Why Is Acetaminophen in Percocet Important?
The acetaminophen component deserves special attention because people may not realize that Percocet already contains it.
Taking more acetaminophen than recommended can cause severe liver damage, liver failure, and death. The FDA also warns that acetaminophen is found in many prescription and over-the-counter medicines, so taking multiple products containing it can result in accidental overexposure. Because Percocet contains acetaminophen, check the active ingredients of other prescription and over-the-counter medicines before taking them together. Ask a healthcare professional or pharmacist if you are unsure whether products can be combined safely, and do not exceed the acetaminophen amount directed on your medication label or by your healthcare professional.[3]
Percocet Addiction vs. Percocet Dependence
Percocet contains oxycodone, an opioid that can lead to misuse, tolerance, physical dependence, and opioid use disorder. These terms describe different effects and should not be used interchangeably.
Percocet Misuse
Misuse means using Percocet in a way that differs from how it was prescribed. This can include taking a higher amount than prescribed, taking it more often, using it for a reason other than pain, or taking someone else’s prescription.
Percocet Dependence
Physical dependence occurs when the body adapts to repeated exposure to oxycodone. If Percocet is stopped suddenly after physical dependence has developed, withdrawal symptoms can occur.
Physical dependence does not automatically mean someone has an opioid use disorder. A person taking an opioid as prescribed can develop physical dependence without developing an addiction.
Percocet Addiction and Opioid Use Disorder
“Addiction” is a commonly used term, while healthcare professionals use the diagnosis opioid use disorder (OUD). OUD involves a problematic pattern of opioid use that causes clinically significant impairment or distress. Physical dependence and tolerance can occur with prescribed opioid use and do not by themselves establish OUD.
Signs can include unsuccessful efforts to cut down, taking opioids in larger amounts or for longer than intended, strong cravings, and continuing to use opioids despite problems caused by their use.
A healthcare professional should assess the overall pattern of symptoms before diagnosing opioid use disorder.
Percocet Misuse, Addiction, and Overdose Risk Factors
The risk of developing problems with Percocet can vary from person to person. Certain factors can increase the risk of opioid misuse, opioid use disorder, or overdose.
Factors that can increase risk include:
- Taking Percocet in a larger amount or more often than prescribed
- Using Percocet without a prescription
- Combining Percocet with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other central nervous system depressants
- A history of substance use disorder
- Higher opioid doses and longer durations of opioid therapy can increase certain risks, although individual risk varies.
- Having certain medical conditions that increase the risk of respiratory depression
- Returning to opioid use after a period of reduced or no use, when tolerance may have decreased
Overdose risk can also increase when opioids are combined with other substances that slow breathing. Because Percocet contains acetaminophen, excessive exposure to acetaminophen creates an additional risk of serious liver injury.
Can You Overdose on Percocet?
Yes. Percocet can cause a potentially fatal opioid overdose.
The greatest immediate danger from the oxycodone component is severe respiratory depression, in which breathing becomes dangerously slow or stops. An overdose is more likely when opioids are taken in larger amounts than prescribed or combined with substances that slow breathing. Signs may include very slow or stopped breathing, extreme sleepiness, inability to wake, loss of consciousness, or pinpoint pupils.
What to do during a suspected overdose
If you suspect a Percocet overdose, give naloxone if available, call emergency medical services, and stay with the person while monitoring their breathing. Follow the naloxone product instructions and emergency dispatcher’s directions. Emergency medical evaluation is still needed even if naloxone restores breathing because its effects can wear off while opioids remain in the body.
Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms and Detoxification
Regular exposure to oxycodone can lead to physical dependence. If someone who has developed physical dependence suddenly stops taking Percocet, withdrawal symptoms may occur.
Percocet Withdrawal Symptoms
Possible opioid withdrawal symptoms include:
- Anxiety or restlessness
- Muscle aches
- Sweating
- Runny nose
- Yawning
- Abdominal cramping
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
For people with opioid use disorder, detoxification alone does not treat the underlying disorder or provide ongoing protection against relapse and overdose. Evidence-based treatment may include medications such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone, depending on the person’s clinical situation.
Percocet and Alcohol: Is the Combination Dangerous?
Yes. Combining Percocet with alcohol can increase the risk of dangerous central nervous system depression.
Alcohol can add to opioid-related sedation and breathing problems. The same concern applies to other central nervous system depressants, including benzodiazepines and certain other sedating medications.
Current oxycodone/acetaminophen labeling warns about the risks of combining opioids with benzodiazepines or other central nervous system depressants. The CDC also recommends particular caution when opioids and benzodiazepines are prescribed together.
Tell your prescriber and pharmacist about all prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, supplements, and other substances you use so they can identify potentially dangerous interactions.
When Should You Get Help for Percocet Misuse?
Consider talking with a healthcare professional if Percocet use is becoming difficult to control, the medication is being used differently than prescribed, or opioid use is causing problems at home, school, work, or in relationships.
Seek immediate emergency help if someone who may have taken Percocet is difficult to wake, has very slow or stopped breathing, or shows other signs of opioid overdose. Give naloxone if available while emergency help is being sought.
Treatment for Teens at Clearfork Academy
A Percocet overdose requires emergency medical care, not behavioral health treatment. After the emergency is addressed, ongoing opioid misuse or opioid use disorder may require clinical assessment and treatment.
For teens experiencing ongoing opioid misuse or a substance use disorder, Clearfork Academy provides behavioral health treatment based on each teen’s clinical needs, functioning, and safety. Treatment can address substance-use patterns, coping skills, family concerns, and other behavioral health needs that may affect recovery.
Clearfork Academy offers residential treatment, Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP), and Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) services for eligible teens. Depending on the teen’s treatment plan, services may include individual therapy, family therapy, group counseling, academic support, and aftercare planning.
Families concerned about ongoing Percocet misuse can also use Clearfork Academy’s insurance verification service to review benefits and potential treatment options before care begins.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q, Is Percocet the same as oxycodone?
No. Oxycodone is the opioid ingredient in Percocet. Percocet is a combination medication containing oxycodone and acetaminophen.
Q. What is the difference between Percocet dependence and addiction?
Dependence involves physical adaptation and withdrawal. Addiction, or opioid use disorder, involves problematic opioid use that causes significant impairment or distress.
Q. Why is acetaminophen important in Percocet?
Percocet contains acetaminophen, so taking additional acetaminophen-containing medicines can increase the risk of serious liver injury.
Q. Can Percocet cause withdrawal?
Yes. Regular opioid exposure can lead to physical dependence, and stopping suddenly after dependence develops can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Sources
- MedlinePlus. Oxycodone Combination Products.
- DailyMed. Oxycodone and Acetaminophen Drug Label.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Acetaminophen Safety Information.
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). How to Respond to an Opioid Overdose.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Opioid Use Disorder Treatment.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain.
Austin Davis, LPC-S
Founder & CEO
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas. Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design. Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
