Percocet

What is the most important information I should know about Percocet?
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Do not stop taking Percocet suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Oxycodone may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
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Avoid alcohol while taking Percocet. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by Percocet and could be dangerous. Also, acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver when taken with as little as 2 drinks of alcohol.
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Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation.
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Percocet may cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.
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Never take more Percocet than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.
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Watch the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. Do not take more than a total of 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.
What is Percocet?
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Oxycodone (related to codeine) is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. It relieves pain.
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Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that increases the effects of oxycodone.
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Together, acetaminophen and oxycodone are used to relieve moderate-to-severe pain.
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Percocet may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take Percocet?
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Before taking Percocet, tell your doctor if you have
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kidney disease;
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liver disease;
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asthma;
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urinary retention;
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an enlarged prostate;
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hypothyroidism;
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seizures or epilepsy;
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gallbladder disease;
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a head injury;
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Addison's disease; or
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a history of alcohol or drug addiction.
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You may not be able to take Percocet, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
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This drug combination is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether it will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
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It is not known whether this drug combination passes into breast milk. Do not take Percocet without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
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If you are younger than 18 years of age or older than 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Percocet therapy. Use extra caution.
How should I take Percocet?
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Take Percocet exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
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Take each dose with a full glass of water.
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Take Percocet with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.
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Never take more Percocet than is prescribed for you. Too much Percocet could be very harmful.
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To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of oxycodone with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
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Do not stop taking Percocet suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.
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Percocet may cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.
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Do not share this medication with anyone else.
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Store Percocet at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
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Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking your next dose.
What happens if I overdose?
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Seek emergency medical attention.
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Symptoms of an Percocet overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small pupils, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.
What should I avoid while taking Percocet?
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Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Oxycodone may cause drowsiness or dizziness. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
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Avoid alcohol while taking Percocet. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by Percocet and could be dangerous. Also, acetaminophen can be toxic to your liver when taken with as little as 2 drinks of alcohol.
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Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medications also may cause dangerous sedation.
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Watch the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. Do not take more than a total of 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.
What are the possible side effects of Percocet?
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Percocet and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
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an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
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slow, weak breathing;
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seizures;
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cold, clammy skin;
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severe weakness or dizziness;
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unconsciousness;
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yellowing of the skin or eyes; or
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unusual fatigue, bleeding, or bruising.
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Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Percocet and talk to your doctor if you experience
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constipation;
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dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
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dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness;
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muscle twitches;
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sweating;
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itching;
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decreased urination; or
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decreased sex drive.
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Percocet is habit forming. Do not stop taking it suddenly.
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Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Percocet?
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Do not take Percocet if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.
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The most serious interactions affecting Percocet are with those drugs that also cause sedation. The following drugs may lead to dangerous sedation if taken with Percocet:
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antihistamines such as brompheniramine (Dimetane, Bromfed, others), diphenhydramine (Benadryl, Nytol, Compoz, others), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton, Teldrin, others), and others;
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tricyclic antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil) and doxepin (Sinequan), and serotonin reuptake inhibitors such as fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), and paroxetine (Paxil);
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other commonly used antidepressants, including amoxapine (Asendin), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and protriptyline (Vivactil);
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anticholinergics such as belladonna (Donnatal), clidinium (Quarzan), dicyclomine (Bentyl, Antispas), hyoscyamine (Levsin, Anaspaz), ipratropium (Atrovent), propantheline (Pro-Banthine), and scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
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phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), and prochlorperazine (Compazine); and
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tranquilizers and sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal), secobarbital (Seconal), alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), flurazepam (ProSom), and temazepam (Restoril).
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You may not be able to take Percocet or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
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Watch the acetaminophen content of other over-the-counter and prescription products while taking this medication. Do not take more than a total of 4 grams (4000 mg) of acetaminophen per day.
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Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Percocet. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Where can I get more information?
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Your pharmacist has additional information about Percocet written for health professionals that you may read.