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Side Effects of Percocet Abuse

To help relieve pain after surgery, or reduce the extreme discomfort associated with arthritis, joint and back pain, a physician may prescribe percocet. And although the prescribing of percocet has become common practice, many patients are surprised to learn that percocet is a controlled substance. But what may be even more alarming is the fact that a percocet addiction can begin within as little as three weeks of taking the drug. In fact, MyAddiction.com reports that over time a common side effect of percocet abuse is the overwhelming feeling that the medication needs to be taken to feel "normal".

  1. Identification

    • Percocet is a medication that is considered a "schedule II" drug, and is only available by prescription. According to AddictionSearch.com, percocet is highly addictive; containing a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is a narcotic analgesic and stimulant, and acetominophen is a pain reliever. Percocet also contains a small amount of opium that is derived from poppy plants.

    Euphoria

    • Patients who initially begin to take percocet often experience a type of "euphoria" that replaces their pain with artificial feelings of well-being. As their bodies begin to build up a tolerance for the drug, the quest for the euphoric "high" becomes more and more difficult to achieve. Recovery Connection explains that a side effect of percocet abuse is a growing emotional and physical need for the drug. Often, there is a noticeable increase in the amount of percocet ingested, as well as, an increase in how often it is taken throughout the day.

    Drowsiness

    • Patients who abuse percocet will often show signs of unusual drowsiness that may begin to interfere with daily activities. As the daily dosage of percocet increases, sleep becomes a necessity due to its narcotic properties. As the addiction progresses, the abuser may also begin to show daily signs of a drug induced "stupor". Continued increases can potentially lead to a coma.

    Changes in Behavior

    • Behavioral changes play a major role in percocet addiction. The craving of percocet is such a vicious side effect that the abuser will actually become preoccupied to the point of obsession when it comes to trying to figure out how to acquire more of the drug when the current prescription runs out. According to Percocetaddiction.net, the percocet abuser often begins to frequent different physician's offices to get new prescriptions. He may also visit the local emergency room for additional prescriptions as well.

    Withdrawl

    • When percocet is abused, withdrawal becomes a side effect that can occur within 2- to 4-hours of discontinuing the medication. Drugstrategies.org reveals that the withdrawal effects of percocet can become so overwhelming that patients often search out illegal means to obtain the drug just to stop the symptoms. It is not unusual for extreme nausea, vomiting, dizziness and blurred vision to occur during the withdrawal period.

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