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Percocet Contraindications

Percocet is a drug prescribed for pain regulation. Contraindications warn patients with certain medical conditions or hypersensitivity to one or more ingredients about potential life threatening side effects associated with the drug. All doses of Percocet contain oxycodone and acetaminophen.

  1. Hypersensitivity to Ingredients

    • Percocet is a combination drug created from oxycodone and acetaminophen. All doses of the drug contain colloidal silicon dioxide, stearic acid, crospovidone, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose and pregelantinized cornstarch. If the patient is hypersensitive to any of these ingredients, Percocet is contraindicated.

    Opioids

    • Oxycodone is an opioid. Doctors prescribe opioids for pain relief. Patients allergic to opioids or those with medical conditions contradicting opioid intake should not take Percocet. Opioids may interact with other prescription medications, including antihistamines, benzodiazepines and barbiturates.

    Respiratory Diseases

    • Conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, tuberculosis and lung cancer cause a restriction of the airway. Oxycodone may further suppress breathing. Percocet requires the presence of medical personnel if a patient suffers from a respiratory disease.

    Bronchial Asthma

    • Bronchial asthma causes restriction of the airways leading to difficulty breathing, coughing and shortness of breath. Because opioids suppress breathing, patients with bronchial asthma may suffer severe side effects from taking Percocet, including difficulty breathing. Large doses of Percocet may cause death.

    Hypercarbia

    • Hypercarbia, also known as hypercapnia, causes a higher than normal carbon dioxide level in blood. Suppressed breathing caused by oxycodone in Percocet may cause an additional increase in carbon dioxide.

    Paralytic Ileus

    • Paralytic ileus is an obstruction of the intestine caused by paralysis of the intestinal muscles. Narcotics, like oxycodone, may cause paralytic ileus so patients with the condition should not take Percocet. Intestinal blockage can lead to constipation, distention of the abdomen, nausea and vomiting.

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