Percocet 10 mg

Percocet contains a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone is an opioid pain medication. An opioid is sometimes called a narcotic. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone.

Percocet is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.

Due of the risks of addiction, abuse, and misuse, even at recommended doses, Percocet is only prescribed when treatment with non-opioid pain relieving medication has not been tolerated or has not provided adequate pain relief.

Before taking Percocet

You should not use Percocet if you are allergic to any of its components including acetaminophen or oxycodone, or if you have:

• severe asthma or breathing problems; or
• a blockage in your stomach or intestines.

To make sure Percocet is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• liver disease;
• a drug or alcohol addiction;
• kidney disease;
• a head injury or seizures;
• urination problems; or
• problems with your thyroid, pancreas, or gallbladder.

If you use Percocet while you are pregnant, your baby could become dependent on the drug. This can cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in the baby after it is born. Babies born dependent on opioids may need medical treatment for several weeks.

If you become pregnant while taking oxycodone, do not stop your medication suddenly without talking to your doctor. You may need to decrease your medicine gradually.

Do not breast-feed. Oxycodone can pass into breast milk and cause drowsiness, breathing problems, or death in a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding before using oxycodone.

How should i take this medication

Take Percocet exactly as prescribed by your doctor. 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 the medicine seems to stop working as well in relieving your pain.

Never share this medicine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. MISUSE CAN CAUSE ADDICTION, OVERDOSE, OR DEATH. Keep the medicine in a place where others cannot get to it. Selling or giving away Percocet is against the law.

If you need surgery or medical tests, tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using Percocet.

You should not stop using Percocet suddenly. Follow your doctor’s instructions about tapering your dose. Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep track of your medicine. You should be aware if anyone is using it improperly or without a prescription.

Do not keep leftover opioid medication. Just one dose can cause death in someone using this medicine accidentally or improperly. Ask your pharmacist where to locate a drug take-back disposal program. If there is no take-back program, flush the unused medicine down the toilet.

Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to Percocet: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Percocet can slow or stop your breathing, and death may occur. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

In rare cases, acetaminophen may cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. This could occur even if you have taken acetaminophen or Tylenol in the past and had no reaction. 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.

Like other narcotic medicines, Percocet can slow your breathing. A person caring for you should seek emergency medical attention if you have slow breathing with long pauses, blue colored lips, or if you are hard to wake up.

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• noisy or shallow breathing;
• slow heartbeat or week pulse;
• cold, clammy skin;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• weakness, tiredness, fever, unusual bruising or bleeding;
• confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
• seizure (convulsions);
• problems with urination;
• signs of liver problems including nausea, upper stomach pain, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dizziness, worsening tiredness or weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if you have symptoms of serotonin syndrome, such as: agitation, hallucinations, fever, sweating, shivering, fast heart rate, muscle stiffness, twitching, loss of coordination, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.

Long-term use of opioid medication may affect fertility (ability to have children) in men or women. It is not known whether opioid effects on fertility are permanent.

Common Percocet side effects include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, feeling tired;
• headache;
• constipation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain;
• blurred vision;
• itching, red eyes, or flushing;
• feelings of extreme happiness or sadness; or
• dry mouth

What should I avoid while taking Percocet?

Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how Percocet will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Do not drink alcohol. Dangerous side effects or death could occur.

Ask a doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine that may contain acetaminophen. Taking certain medications together can lead to a fatal overdose.