What Is Percocet?

Percocet is an opioid and narcotic analgesic combination medication. The drug contains acetaminophen (a common over-the-counter pain reliever) and oxycodone (a potent opioid), and it is intended for the treatment of moderate to severe pain. The acetaminophen in Percocet helps the oxycodone work more effectively. Percocet is only available by prescription, and it can be taken orally as a tablet or as a liquid. The initial recommended adult dosage for this medication is to take one or two of the 2.5mg/325mg tablets every six hours, and patients can safely take up to twelve of these tablets per day. Patients who have been prescribed the 10mg/325mg tablets should take one tablet every six hours, and this strength of Percocet has a maximum safe daily dosage of six tablets. In all cases, patients should ensure that they do not take more than four grams (four thousand milligrams) of acetaminophen per day. Percocet needs to be discontinued gradually to avoid withdrawal.

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How It Works

When a patient takes Percocet orally, the tablet dissolves in the digestive system, and the medication is then transported to the bloodstream and into the brain. The oxycodone in Percocet binds to the mu receptors in the brain, and this decreases a patient's sensitivity to pain. Like other opioids, Percocet does not act directly at the source of the patient's pain; it simply makes the patient less sensitive to any pain that may be coming from an injury, for example. Doctors have shown that Percocet works on both the u and kappa opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. After the medication binds to the opioid receptors, patients may experience euphoria, and some patients have become dependent on Percocet.

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Uses For Percocet

Percocet is typically used for long-term treatment of moderate to severe pain. For example, patients with conditions such as cancer, fibromyalgia, migraines, tendonitis, and osteoarthritis may be prescribed Percocet. It could also be recommended for individuals who have lower back pain due to scoliosis, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, and bulging or herniated discs. Patients with hip fractures and bursitis might be considered for treatment with Percocet as well. Although it is generally used to relieve long-term, chronic pain, this medication is sometimes prescribed on a short-term basis for patients recovering from major operations. For example, individuals who have had major abdominal surgery could be prescribed a short course of Percocet; some post-surgical patients will be given a single dose of Percocet in the recovery room.

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