Author: Charles Frank

Percocet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects & Warnings

Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.

More about Percocet (acetaminophen / oxycodone)

This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you should have naloxone available to treat opioid overdose. Teach your family or household members about the signs of an opioid overdose and how to treat it. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely.

Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis). This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. Remember that this medication has been prescribed because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Conditions

See also How to Use section for more information about addiction. Taking too much acetaminophen may cause serious (possibly fatal) liver disease. Adults should not take more than 4000 milligrams (4 grams) of acetaminophen a day.

Stop taking this medicine and call your doctor right away if you have skin redness or a rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling. You should not use Percocet if you have recently used alcohol, sedatives, tranquilizers, or other opioid medications. Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, and slow/shallow breathing. Keep this medicine in a safe place to prevent theft, misuse, or abuse. If someone accidentally swallows this drug, get medical help right away.

If you have ongoing pain (such as due to cancer), your doctor may direct you to also take long-acting opioid medications. In that case, this medication might be used for sudden (breakthrough) pain only as needed. Other pain relievers (such as ibuprofen, naproxen) may also be prescribed with this medication. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using oxycodone safely with other drugs.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away Percocet is against the law. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at FDA-1088 or at /medwatch. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use Percocet only for the indication prescribed.

Does Percocet interact with my other drugs?

An overdose of oxycodone or acetaminophen (both present in Percocet) can cause death. Call your doctor at once if you have nausea, pain in your upper stomach, itching, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, or jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes). Liquid products may contain sugar, aspartame, and/or alcohol. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely. Your doctor may recommend you get naloxone (a medicine to reverse an opioid overdose) and keep it with you at all times.

More about Percocet 5 / 325 (acetaminophen / oxycodone)

  1. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.
  2. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
  3. You may report side effects to FDA at FDA-1088 or at /medwatch.
  4. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby.
  5. The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment.

Pain medications work best if they are used as the first signs of pain occur. If you wait until the pain has worsened, the medication may not work as well. Since Percocet is used for pain, you are not likely to miss a dose. Skip any missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. If you become pregnant while taking oxycodone, do not stop your medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.

¿Qué debo evitar mientras tomo acetaminophen and oxycodone?

Do not use a household spoon because you may not get the correct dose. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Percocet will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Never take this medicine in larger amounts, or for longer than prescribed. An overdose can damage your liver or cause death. Tell your doctor if you feel an increased urge to use more of this medicine. Fatal side effects can occur if you use Percocet with alcohol, or with other drugs that cause drowsiness or slow your breathing. Oxycodone can slow or stop your breathing, and may be habit-forming.