Percocet is a prescription painkiller, containing a combination of Oxycodone and Acetaminophen. Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication when acetaminophen is a non-opioid drug. An opioid is also known as narcotics. Acetaminophen also relieves pain and increases the effects of Oxycodone. It is a drug commonly prescribed to treat severe pain. This medication is more effective in comparison to other pain-relieving medications. Its effects last up to 3 to 5 hours, depending on the condition of the user and form of medicine.

What are the uses of Percocet?

Percocet helps in relief from severe pain. It also prescribed for patients who felt pain after surgery and trauma. This medication creates a change in the brain and affects how our body responds to the pain. This medication is helpful for those individuals who are suffering from chronic pain.

It inhibits chemicals related to pain in the brain. It is also very effective in reducing fever due to acetaminophen.

What should be the daily doses of Percocet?

Adult patients may initiate their treatment with a tablet of 2.5 mg/325 mg once or twice a day. The daily adult dose should not exceed 4 mg of acetaminophen.

Patients may take one tablet every 6 hours as usual dose. The total daily amount of acetaminophen should not exceed 4 mg.

Are there any side effects of Percocet?

If you have signs or symptoms of an allergic reaction of such medication, including hives, breathing problems, or swelling of lips, tongue, and face, get emergency medical help immediately. It can also slow or stop breathing and can cause death.

Acetaminophen may produce a severe skin reaction and can be fatal in a rare case.

Consult your doctor if you have:

o Shallow or noisy breathing

o Week pulse or slow heartbeat

o Unusual bleeding or bruising

o Urination problems

o Fever, tiredness or weakness

o Unusual thoughts and behavior

o Clammy skin

If the patient has symptoms of serotonin syndrome such as fever, sweating, shivering, muscle stiffness, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. He or she should go for immediate medical help.

Dangerous side effects may be more likely in adults and those who are malnourished, debilitated, or overweight.

Long-term use of this medication can affect men’s or women’s fertility.

Most common side effects include:

o Blurred vision

o Dry mouth

o Red eyes, itching or flushing

o Vomiting, nausea, constipation

o Headache

What are the precautions of Percocet?

People should tell their doctor or pharmacist before initiating the treatment if they are allergic to Oxycodone or acetaminophen. It is because this product contains inactive ingredients that can cause an allergic reaction.

This medication is not appropriate for those who have recently used sedatives, alcohol, tranquilizers, or any narcotic drugs.

If you have used an M.A.O. inhibitor in the last 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, selegiline, do not use Percocet. Avoid alcohol before taking this medication as it could cause death.

You need to know how Percocet will affect you before operating machinery and driving. It is because there are so many harmful effects like drowsiness, dizziness, which can cause severe injuries or accidents.

Stay away from your children from this medication. Keep this medication at room temperature and away from sunlight.

Consult a pharmacist or doctor before taking any other medicine. It can lead to a fatal overdose in case of taking certain medications together.

What are the contraindications of Percocet use?

Some of the conditions contraindicated with this drug:

o Undernutrition patient

o Brain tumor

o Liver problems

o Acetaminophen overdose

o Dehydration

o Mood changes

o Depression

o Low blood pressure

o Constipation

o Coma

o Seizures

o Kidney disease

o Enlarged prostate

o Drug abuse

o Acute inflammation of the liver

What are the Percocet drug interactions?

Drug interactions can change how your drug affects you, and sometimes it can produce side effects. It does not contain all possible interactions of a drug.

Do not change your dosage of medicines without the guidance of your doctor. Some of the products that may interact with this drug include certain pain medications and naltrexone.

If you take this medication with other medicines, it may cause serious risks such as dizziness/drowsiness, shallow/slow breathing), and other breathing problems.

Always consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking other products or other opioid pain relievers such as hydrocodone, codeine. And drugs for anxiety or sleep antihistamines or muscle relaxants (such as cyclobenzaprine, carisoprodol).

Check labels on all your medicines properly (such as allergy products) because they may contain harmful ingredients. Get the approval of your doctor about using those products safely.