Percocet is a prescription pain reliever that combines oxycodone, an opioid, with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol. It’s prescribed for short-term pain that is severe enough to need an opioid. Because oxycodone can lead to misuse and addiction, Percocet is a Schedule II controlled substance.
Worried about your Percocet use, or a loved one’s? Orlando Recovery Center offers medical detox, residential treatment and partial hospitalization for opioid addiction. Call (407) 680-1226 or verify your insurance to get started.
What strengths does Percocet come in?
Percocet strengths are written as two numbers: the milligrams (mg) of oxycodone first, then the milligrams of acetaminophen. Brand-name Percocet comes in four strengths:
| Strength | Oxycodone | Acetaminophen |
|---|---|---|
| 2.5/325 | 2.5 mg | 325 mg |
| 5/325 | 5 mg | 325 mg |
| 7.5/325 | 7.5 mg | 325 mg |
| 10/325 | 10 mg | 325 mg |
Generic oxycodone and acetaminophen, and other brands such as Endocet, come in similar strengths. Your prescriber should use the lowest dose that controls your pain, for the shortest time possible.
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A warning about street pills: Pills sold on the street as “Percs” are often counterfeit, and many fake pills contain fentanyl. Even a small amount of fentanyl can cause a fatal overdose. Only take Percocet that a pharmacy dispensed to you.
How does Percocet work?
Oxycodone attaches to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. This changes how your body senses pain. It can also cause feelings of relaxation or euphoria, which is part of why it can be misused.
Acetaminophen relieves pain in a different way and also lowers fever. Together, they can control pain with a lower dose of opioid. For most people, relief starts within about an hour and lasts about four to six hours.
What are the side effects of Percocet?
Common side effects
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Constipation
- Headache
- Itching
- Dry mouth and sweating
Constipation often doesn’t go away on its own while you take opioids, so ask your doctor or pharmacist how to prevent it.
Serious side effects: get help right away
- Slow, shallow or noisy breathing, or pauses in breathing
- Extreme sleepiness, or being hard to wake up
- Confusion or fainting
- Blue or gray lips or fingertips
- Very small (“pinpoint”) pupils
- Signs of liver injury (see below)
- Swelling of the face or throat, hives or trouble breathing (a severe allergic reaction)
These can be signs of an overdose or a medical emergency. Call 911. If you have naloxone (Narcan), give it, and stay with the person until help arrives.
The risk of dangerous breathing problems is much higher when Percocet is taken with alcohol, benzodiazepines such as Xanax or Valium, sleep medicines or other opioids.
Acetaminophen and liver risk
The acetaminophen in Percocet is safe at prescribed doses, but too much can cause severe liver damage. Most adults should not take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in 24 hours from all sources combined, and your doctor may set a lower limit.
The risk goes up when you:
- take more Percocet than prescribed, or take it more often;
- also take other products that contain acetaminophen, such as Tylenol and many cold, flu and sleep medicines (labels may say “APAP”);
- drink alcohol regularly;
- already have liver disease.
Early signs of liver injury can be mild or delayed. They include nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, pain in the upper right side of the belly, dark urine and yellow skin or eyes. If you think someone has taken too much acetaminophen, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or 911 right away, even if they feel fine.
Percocet vs. oxycodone: what’s the difference?
Percocet contains oxycodone, so the opioid is the same. The difference is the added acetaminophen.
| Feature | Percocet | Oxycodone alone |
|---|---|---|
| Ingredients | Oxycodone + acetaminophen | Oxycodone only |
| Common brands | Percocet, Endocet | Roxicodone, OxyContin (extended-release) |
| Oxycodone per tablet | 2.5 to 10 mg | Available in higher strengths |
| Extra risk | Liver damage from too much acetaminophen | Higher-strength tablets raise overdose risk |
| DEA schedule | Schedule II | Schedule II |
| Can cause addiction | Yes | Yes |
Learn more about oxycodone and its risks.
Is Percocet addictive?
Yes. Percocet carries the FDA’s strongest warning, a boxed warning, about addiction, misuse and life-threatening breathing problems. Anyone who takes it can develop a problem, but the risk is higher with longer use, higher doses, or a personal or family history of substance use or mental health conditions.
Two terms are worth knowing:
- Physical dependence means your body has adapted to the drug, so you’d have withdrawal symptoms if you stopped suddenly. It can happen even when you take Percocet exactly as prescribed.
- Addiction (opioid use disorder) means you have trouble controlling your use and keep using even though it causes harm.
Signs of Percocet addiction
- Taking more than prescribed, or running out early
- Getting prescriptions from more than one doctor
- Crushing, snorting or injecting pills
- Buying pills from friends or on the street
- Strong cravings, or using to avoid withdrawal
- Pulling away from family, work or activities you used to enjoy
Read more about opioid addiction.
What does Percocet withdrawal feel like?
If you’ve taken Percocet regularly, stopping suddenly can cause withdrawal. Symptoms usually start within about 6 to 12 hours of the last dose and are often worst around days two and three. Physical symptoms usually ease within about a week, but trouble sleeping, low mood and cravings can last longer.
- Anxiety and restlessness
- Muscle and bone aches
- Sweating, chills and goosebumps
- Runny nose, watery eyes and yawning
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach cramps and diarrhea
- Trouble sleeping
- Strong cravings
Opioid withdrawal is rarely life-threatening for healthy adults, but vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dangerous dehydration. The bigger danger is relapse. After even a short break, your tolerance drops, so going back to your old amount can cause an overdose.
If you take Percocet long term, don’t stop suddenly. Talk with your prescriber about tapering, or get medical support. See our full guide to Percocet withdrawal and detox.
Percocet addiction treatment at Orlando Recovery Center
Orlando Recovery Center treats adults 18 and older for opioid addiction at our Orlando campus. After an assessment, your care team recommends the right level of care:
- Medical detox: medical supervision while your body clears opioids, with medications to manage withdrawal symptoms when medically appropriate. Most patients complete detox in six to nine days.
- Residential (inpatient) treatment: you live on site and take part in individual and group therapy, typically for 14 to 21 days.
- Partial hospitalization (PHP): full days of treatment without an overnight stay, typically for 14 to 21 days.
These lengths of stay are typical. Yours is based on your clinical needs and your insurance. We also treat co-occurring mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, and we plan your aftercare with you before you leave. If you need intensive outpatient care (IOP) afterward, it’s available at our sister facility, Orlando Outpatient Center in Maitland.
Does insurance cover Percocet addiction treatment?
Orlando Recovery Center is in network with several insurers for substance use treatment, including Aetna, Cigna, Florida Blue (BCBS), Humana and UnitedHealthcare/Optum. Coverage depends on your plan, so verify your benefits or call (407) 680-1226.
Percocet FAQs
Is Percocet a strong painkiller?
Yes. Percocet is an opioid prescribed for pain that is too severe for over-the-counter medicines. Oxycodone is a potent opioid, so even the lowest strength can cause drowsiness, dependence and overdose, especially when mixed with alcohol or sedatives.
Is Percocet the same as oxycodone?
Not exactly. Percocet contains oxycodone plus acetaminophen. Oxycodone is also sold on its own under brand names such as Roxicodone and OxyContin. Both are Schedule II opioids that can cause addiction.
Does Percocet make you sleepy?
It can. Drowsiness is one of the most common side effects, especially when you first start taking it or your dose goes up. Don’t drive until you know how it affects you, and don’t mix it with alcohol or sleep aids. If someone is hard to wake or is breathing slowly, call 911.
Can you drink alcohol while taking Percocet?
No. Alcohol adds to the sedating effects of oxycodone and can cause dangerously slow breathing. It also raises the risk of liver damage from acetaminophen.
If Percocet has taken more control of your life than you planned, you don’t have to stop alone. Call (407) 680-1226 to talk with our admissions team about next steps.
