Percocet for Pain

Percocet is a brand name for the generic drug oxycodone. It is used for patients suffering moderate to severe pain, ranging from post-operative surgery and migraines to broken bones and injuries). It is a white, odorless, powdered pill with a saline/bitter taste. It is prescribed for short-term use and patients should be aware of its side effects and counter-indications.

How it works

• Percocet is absorbed in the body within one hour after it is swallowed with water, with pain levels reducing within 10 to 15 minutes. Some patients metabolize the drug faster than others. It travels through the blood throughout the body to the skeletal system, brain, liver and intestines. It exits the body through urine and sweat.

How to take Percocet

• Follow all labels on your prescription packaging and consult the doctor/pharmacist if anything is unclear. The adult maximum dose of Percocet is 1 g/1000 mg per dose, up to four times per day. Exceeding the maximum may put your liver at risk for damage. Drink a full glass of water with each dose, trying to drink six to eight glasses of water per day. This will aid in one of Percocet's side effects, which is constipation. If you are on a prescribed dosing schedule and miss a dose, do not double up on the next dose. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Percocet.

Side effects

• Common, non-life-threatening side-effects of Percocet include: dry mouth, dizzy or drowsy feeling; blurred vision; constipation; and mild nausea. If you experience any of the following more serious side effects, contact your doctor or hospital immediately: fainting; seizure; jaundice; slow heart beat; shallow breathing; or unusual thoughts or behavior. Further, this drug is considered highly addictive and patients should be aware it is not for long-term use.

What to tell your doctor

• Tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions: liver disease; underactive thyroid; epilepsy or seizure; enlarged prostate; Addison's disease or adrenal gland disorder; curvature of the spine; asthma; COPA; sleep apnea; brain tumor or head injury history; and low blood pressure. Consult your doctor before taking Percocet if you are pregnant. It may cause problems with breathing or withdrawal in the newborn. It also may pass through breast milk.

Who cannot take Percocet?

• Patients who have liver damage or drink more than three alcoholic beverages per day may require a different medication, due to Percocet's counter-indications and potential effects on the liver. Patients who are allergic to acetaminophen (Tylenol) or Oxycodone should not take Percocet.