What is Percocet?. Percocet is a combination opioid prescription drug. What is the difference between Percocet vs. Norco?. How long does Percocet stay in your system?. What are the signs and symptoms of Percocet addiction?.

Understanding Percocet

Percocet is a combination opioid prescription drug. Opioid medications can either be formulated in a lab by scientists or made directly from the Opium plant. Opioids treat symptoms of pain with their relaxing properties. The generic name for Percocet is oxycodone acetaminophen. The combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, forms the brand drug Percocet.

Street Names for Percocet

Percocet goes by different names outside of its branded name. Familiarizing oneself with the common street names helps prevent overusing the same medication, leading to an overdose. Common street names for Percocet include Blue Dynamite, No Buffers, 512’s, Percs, Bananas, Tires, Rims, Buttons, Ercs, M-30s, Blue, and Blueberries.

Percocet vs. Norco

The difference between Percocet vs. Norco is in the Codone type. Norco is a combination drug that contains hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. Percocet is a combination drug of oxycodone and acetaminophen.

Percocet Dosage

Percocet should only be taken when directed by a doctor. Outside of this, you could be placing yourself in harm’s way. Overconsumption of any medication can create severe side effects, such as developing tolerance and dependence on the drug. Percocet prescriptions come with various dosages and strengths, including Percocet 5/325 and Percocet 10/325.

Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Addiction

Percocet is a great recovery option for relieving moderate to severe short-term pain. However, this recovery option does not take away from the fact that opioids, like Percocet, are highly associated with substance abuse, addiction, and overdose. Here are ways to identify a current or developing Percocet addiction:

Physical Signs of Percocet Addiction

• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shallow or slowed breathing

Behavioral Signs of Percocet Addiction

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Euphoria
• Irritability
• Lack of coordination
• Lack of motivation
• Poor judgment or decision-making
• Missing responsibilities
• Sleep trouble and change to sleep patterns

How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System?

The length of time Percocet stays in your system has different variables. One variable is the health of your digestive and urinary system, especially the kidney and liver. A weak kidney or liver will allow the drug to last longer in the system. Another variable is the dosage; the higher the dosage and the more often taken, the longer it takes to leave your body.

Overall, Percocet generally leaves the blood in 24-48 hours, again considering the other variables. However, Percocet can still show up in the urine, saliva, or hair over 90 days.

Side Effects of Percocet

As with any medication, some side effects are expected to occur. Here are some short- and long-term effects:

Short-Term Percocet Side Effects

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Euphoria
• Dysphoria
• Rash
• Itching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slowed breathing

Long-Term Percocet Side Effects

According to the FDA, there are physiological and psychological long-term Percocet side effects, such as the following:

• Long-term addiction
• Life-threatening respiratory depression
• Serotonin syndrome
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Hypotension and syncope

Signs of Percocet Overdose

According to the FDA, an opioid pain medicine that can put you at risk for overdose and death. Even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed, you are at risk for opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse that can lead to death.

An opioid overdose happens when enough opiates are abused to produce life-threatening symptoms or death. In cases of overdose, breathing often slows or stops. Overdose decreases the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, which can cause a coma, permanent brain damage, or death.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the signs of an opioid overdose include:

• An extremely pale face or skin feeling clammy to the touch
• Body going limp
• Fingernails or lips start to have a purple or blue color

Percocet Guide | Side-Effects | Treatment Options

What is Percocet?

Percocet is a combination opioid prescription drug. Opioid medications can either be formulated in a lab by scientists or made directly from the Opium plant.¹ Opioids treat symptoms of pain with their relaxing properties.

Generic Names for Percocet

The generic name for Percocet is oxycodone acetaminophen. The combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, commonly known as Tylenol, forms the brand drug Percocet.

Common Street Names for Percocet

Percocet goes by different names outside of its branded name.² Familiarizing oneself with the common street names helps prevent overusing the same medication, leading to an overdose.

Common street names for Percocet include:³

• Blue Dynamite
• No Buffers
• 512’s
• Percs
• Bananas
• Tires
• Rims
• Buttons
• Ercs. M-30s
• Blue
• Blueberries

What is the Difference between Percocet vs. Norco?

The difference between Percocet vs. Norco is in the Codone type. Norco is a combination drug that contains hydrocodone bitartrate and acetaminophen. Percocet is a combination drug of oxycodone and acetaminophen.

Percocet Dosage

Percocet should only be taken when directed by a doctor. Outside of this, you could be placing yourself in harm’s way. Overconsumption of any medication can create severe side effects, such as developing tolerance and dependence on the drug.

The amount of medicine taken should depend on the strength of the medication and your unique body composition. The number of doses you take each day, the time between doses, and how long the prescription lasts also depends on the medical problem as well.⁴

Each Percocet dosage oral route tablet contains oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen. Percocet prescriptions come with various dosages and strengths.

Percocet 5/325 Tablet

Percocet 5/325 contains 5 mg of United States Pharmacopeia, USP, oxycodone hydrochloride, and 325 mg of USP acetaminophen.

Percocet 10/325 Tablet

Percocet 10/325 contains 10 mg of United States Pharmacopeia, USP, oxycodone hydrochloride, and 325 mg of USP acetaminophen.

The more oxycodone hydrochloride is in the tablet, the greater its strength.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Addiction?

Percocet is a great recovery option for relieving moderate to severe short-term pain. However, this recovery option does not take away from the fact that opioids, like Percocet, are highly associated with substance abuse, addiction, and overdose. Here are ways to identify a current or developing Percocet addiction.

Physical Signs of Percocet Addiction

• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Shallow or slowed breathing

Behavioral Signs of Percocet Addiction

• Agitation
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Euphoria
• Irritability
• Lack of coordination
• Lack of motivation
• Poor judgment or decision-making
• Missing responsibilities
• Sleep trouble and change to sleep patterns

How Long does Percocet Stay in Your System?

The length of time Percocet stays in your system has different variables. One variable is the health of your digestive and urinary system, especially the kidney and liver. A weak kidney or liver will allow the drug to last longer in the system. Another variable is the dosage; the higher the dosage and the more often taken, the longer it takes to leave your body.

Overall, Percocet generally leaves the blood in 24-48 hours, again considering the other variables. However, Percocet can still show up in the urine, saliva, or hair over 90 days.

Side Effects of Percocet

As with any medication, some side effects are expected to occur.⁴ Here are some short- and long-term effects:

Short-Term Percocet Side Effects

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Sedation
• Euphoria
• Dysphoria
• Rash
• Itching
• Nausea and vomiting
• Slowed breathing

Long-Term Percocet Side Effects

According to the FDA, there are physiological and psychological long-term Percocet side effects, such as the following:

• Long-term addiction
• Life-threatening respiratory depression
• Serotonin syndrome
• Adrenal insufficiency
• Hypotension and syncope

Signs of Percocet Overdose

According to the FDA, an opioid pain medicine that can put you at risk for overdose and death. Even if you take your dose correctly as prescribed, you are at risk for opioid addiction, abuse, and misuse that can lead to death.⁵
An opioid overdose happens when enough opiates are abused to produce life-threatening symptoms or death. In cases of overdose, breathing often slows or stops. Overdose decreases the amount of oxygen that reaches the brain, which can cause a coma, permanent brain damage, or death.

According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, the signs of an opioid overdose include:⁶

• An extremely pale face or skin feeling clammy to the touch
• Body going limp
• Fingernails or lips start to have a purple or blue color
• Vomiting or gurgling noises
• They cannot be awakened or are unable to speak
• When breathing or heartbeat slows or stops

Signs of Percocet Withdrawal

Percocet withdrawal symptoms can begin as early as a few hours after the last dosage. The symptoms are uncomfortable in many cases. ⁷ The symptoms include:

• Muscle and bone pain
• Trouble sleeping
• Diarrhea and vomiting
• Cold flashes and goosebumps
• Uncontrollable leg movements
• Severe cravings

Percocet Treatment Options

Opioid treatments, such as Percocet, include medicine and behavioral therapy to help address a substance use disorder.

Detox centers are an effective way to detox from prescription medicine. With trained medical and clinical professionals, detox centers are a safe and supportive way to evaluate and address the needs. These centers often have individualized strategies to make the withdrawal process and comfortable as possible.

Medication-Assisted Treatment

Medication-assisted treatments target the brain’s receptors involved in substance use disorders. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse,Two medicines, buprenorphine, and methadone, work by binding to the same opioid receptors in the brain as the opioid medicines, reducing cravings and withdrawal symptoms. ⁷ Another medicine, naltrexone, blocks opioid receptors and prevents opioid drugs from having an effect.

Inpatient Rehab

Inpatient rehab is a type of treatment where you stay at a treatment center 24/7 with medical guidance and support. This treatment includes behavioral therapy that focuses on changing how substance use disorder changes your behavior and helps you understand your relationships to substances.⁷The most common therapy type is cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps modify drug-use expectations and actions while also effectively managing triggers and stress.

Resources

1. https://www.drugabuse.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids
2. https://consumermedsafety.org/medication-safety-articles/item/411-why-you-need-to-know-your-medicines-brand-and-generic-names
3. https://thecolemaninstitute.com/common-drug-street-names/
4. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/oxycodone-and-acetaminophen-oral-route/proper-use/drg-20074000
5. https://dailymed. nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/medguide.cfm?setid=4dd36cf5-8f73-404a-8b1d-3bd53bd90c25
6. https://medlineplus.gov/opioidoverdose.html
7. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prescription-drug-abuse/symptoms-causes/syc-20376813

No Difference Between Oxycodone/Acetaminophen and Hydrocodone/Acetaminophen for Acute Extremity Pain

DAVID SLAWSON, MD, Director of Information Sciences, University of Virginia Health System, Charlottesville, Va.

Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(5):411

Clinical Question

How effective is oxycodone/acetaminophen compared with hydrocodone/acetaminophen in the management of acute extremity pain in adults, including sprains/strains and fractures?

Bottom Line

This study found no significant difference in the management of acute musculoskeletal extremity pain, including fractures, with oxycodone/acetaminophen vs. hydrocodone/acetaminophen. Adverse events, including nausea and dizziness, occurred significantly more often with oxycodone/acetaminophen (number needed to treat to harm = 10). (Level of Evidence = 1b)

Synopsis

It is commonly believed that oxycodone/acetaminophen provides better pain relief than hydrocodone/acetaminophen for adults with acute pain. These investigators identified adults (N = 240), 21 to 64 years of age, who presented to an urban emergency department with acute musculoskeletal extremity pain of less than seven days’ duration. Extremity was defined as distal to and including the shoulder and hip joint. Exclusion criteria included a history of chronic pain, previous narcotic abuse, or current use of opioid pain medications. Eligible consenting patients randomly received (concealed allocation assignment) a three-day course of oxycodone/acetaminophen (5 mg/325 mg) or identically appearing hydrocodone/acetaminophen (5 mg/325 mg), one dose every four hours as needed for pain. Individuals masked to treatment group assignment assessed outcomes using a standard validated pain scoring tool two hours after the study medication was given and approximately 24 hours after emergency department discharge. Complete follow-up occurred for 92% of patients at 24 hours.

The final diagnosis of the acute musculoskeletal extremity pain included approximately 65% fractures, 40% sprains and strains, and 5% other. Using intention-to-treat analyses, no significant group differences occurred in mean pain score reduction between baseline and follow-up. Approximately 60% of patients in both groups reported at least a 50% decrease in pain. All patients were also equally satisfied with their analgesic management. Adverse reactions, including nausea and dizziness, occurred significantly more often in patients who received oxycodone/acetaminophen than in patients who received hydrocodone/acetaminophen (number needed to treat to harm = 10). The study was 80% powered to detect a predetermined clinically significant difference in pain scores between the two treatment groups.

Study design: Randomized controlled trial (double-blinded)

Funding source: Foundation

Allocation: Concealed

Setting: Emergency department

Reference: ChangAKBijurPEHoldenLGallagherEJComparative analgesic efficacy of oxycodone/acetaminophen versus hydrocodone/acetaminophen for short-term pain management in adults following ED discharge. Acad Emerg Medicine2015; 22( 11): 1254– 1260.

POEMs (patient-oriented evidence that matters) are provided by Essential Evidence Plus, a point-of-care clinical decision support system published by Wiley-Blackwell. For more information, see http://www.essentialevidenceplus.com. Copyright Wiley-Blackwell. Used with permission.

For definitions of levels of evidence used in POEMs, see http://www.essentialevidenceplus.com/product/ebm_loe.cfm?show=oxford.

To subscribe to a free podcast of these and other POEMs that appear in AFP, search in iTunes for “POEM of the Week” or go to http://goo.