Description
A Detailed Overview of Percocet
Percocet, also known as oxycodone with acetaminophen, is a prescription opioid painkiller that is used to treat moderate to severe short-term pain. We’ll take a look at how it works, what its risks are, and how you can get the best results from it.
How Percocet Works
Percocet is an analgesic that works by interacting with certain receptors in your brain and spinal cord. It has the same effects on these receptors as the body’s natural endorphins do—it blocks pain messages from reaching your brain and releases chemicals that make you feel good. It also slows down your breathing and heartbeat.
Risks of Using Percocet
Taking too much Percocet can cause serious side effects like shallow breathing or even death. Because of this risk, only take your medication as prescribed by a doctor. You should also avoid combining Percocet with alcohol or other drugs without first talking to your doctor about it—they may interact negatively with each other and cause increased side effects or an overdose on one or both substances.
Why Percocet?
If you have a broken or fractured bone, you may be prescribed Percocet to help manage your pain. This medication is a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone, which is a narcotic (opiate) pain reliever. It works by blocking the pain signals in your brain.
Because it contains acetaminophen, Percocet can be taken with other over-the-counter medications containing acetaminophen without causing harm. However, you should not take Percocet while taking any other medication that contains acetaminophen. This includes Tylenol (acetaminophen).
You should also not mix alcohol with Percocet because it could lead to serious side effects like respiratory depression and coma.
What are the benefits of taking Percocet for pain?
When you’re in pain, it can be hard to figure out what the best course of action is. And when you’re suffering from chronic pain, taking medication for that pain can feel like a last resort. But if you have a medical condition that causes you to experience severe or chronic pain, taking Percocet for pain can be a great way to manage your symptoms and get back to living your life.
Here are some of the benefits of taking Percocet for pain:
- It can help reduce inflammation and swelling in your body. This is especially helpful when you’re experiencing joint pain or muscle soreness after an accident or injury.
- It can help relieve anxiety about your condition by allowing you to relax. This is especially helpful for people who suffer from chronic anxiety disorders such as PTSD or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD).
- It can help relieve nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy treatments or surgery.
5 Unexpected Percocet Side Effects You Need To Be Aware Of
But did you know that Percocet has some unexpected side effects? Here are five of them:
- Drowsiness and fatigue—Percocet can cause drowsiness and fatigue, so don’t drive or operate heavy machinery while taking it (or for at least six hours after).
- Constipation—Percocet can slow down your intestines, causing constipation, so make sure you drink plenty of water and eat lots of fiber-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans.
- Loss of appetite—if you’re taking Percocet because of chronic pain, it may make you lose your appetite and not feel like eating much at all. But don’t let this keep you from having three healthy meals per day! Make sure they’re balanced and nutritious by including lean protein sources like fish or chicken breast along with healthy fats like olive oil or avocado in each mealtime portion.
- Dizziness or Vertigo—these are common side effects of Percocet use because they affect your sense of balance and equilibrium. If you experience dizziness or vertigo while taking the drug, talk to your doctor immediately so they can recommend ways to reduce these symptoms and make sure they don’t get worse over time!
- Itching or Rash—if you start noticing itching or hives after starting a new medication like Percocet, it could be a sign that your body is rejecting the medicine—or that there’s something else going on with your health. Make sure to talk to your doctor right away if this happens!
Tips for Safe Percocet Use
Percocet is a powerful pain medication, and it can be tempting to take more than you should. But if you do, you might end up in the ER. Here are some tips for safe Percocet use:
- Keep track of your pill count. If you’re taking more than one pill per day, try to keep track of how many you have left and what day it is, so that if something happens to the pills in your possession (like they get stolen or lost), you’ll know right away how many are missing and when they were last counted.
- Don’t mix with other drugs or alcohol. Percocet can be addictive even when used as directed, so it’s important to avoid mixing it with other substances like alcohol or other medications that may cause side effects or interact with Percocet’s chemical makeup.
- Avoid driving after taking Percocet. Even though it might seem like a good idea at the time, mixing substances like alcohol or other medications with those found in a painkiller like Percocet could lead to impaired judgement while driving—which could result in serious injury or death for both yourself and others on the road around you!
- Use water to wash down the pill. If you have trouble swallowing pills, try washing down the pill with water or juice instead of chewing it. This will make it easier for you to swallow and keep it from getting stuck in your throat.
- Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking Percocet without first discussing with your doctor how this may affect your health and safety.
Facts about Percocet
Percocet is a pain reliever that contains acetaminophen and oxycodone. It’s prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain. Percocet comes in tablet form, and you can get it by prescription only.
Percocet’s effects can last anywhere from 4 to 6 hours, depending on the dosage you take. Most people take it every 4-6 hours as needed throughout the day.
Because Percocet is a narcotic drug, it has some serious side effects—like addiction—so you should always talk with your doctor before you start using it.
Percocet is a Schedule II drug, which means that it has a high potential for abuse but can be legally prescribed by doctors. When used as directed by your doctor and within the recommended dose range of 10-80 milligrams per day (for someone who weighs more than 100 pounds), Percocet can be very effective at treating pain without causing too many side effects like nausea or dizziness.
Safe Percocet Dosages
If you’ve been prescribed Percocet, you may be wondering how much to take. As with any medication, the right dosage depends on what’s going on with your body and your doctor’s orders. To help you find the right amount of pain relief, here are some guidelines:
Take one pill every four to six hours as needed for pain. Do not exceed more than four tablets in 24 hours or more than five tablets in a 72-hour period.