Is Oxycodone The Same As Percocet?
Oxycodone is different from Percocet. Oxycodone is its own opiate drug, while Percocet is a combination product containing both acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone and Percocet can both cause physical dependence, opioid addiction, and other serious side effects.
No, oxycodone is not the same as Percocet. Oxycodone is an opioid drug only, while Percocet is an oxycodone/acetaminophen combination product.
Oxycodone is the generic name for oxycodone products, while Percocet is a brand name prescription opioid. Due to the acetaminophen, taking Percocet may have serious and common side effects not seen in opioid use, such as skin rash and liver damage.
Oxycodone and Percocet are both prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain in Ohio. Both products are Schedule II controlled substances with a high potential for drug abuse.
Abusing oxycodone or Percocet in Ohio can lead to opioid addiction, withdrawal symptoms, and an increased risk of overdose.
How Oxycodone & Percocet Are Different
Oxycodone belongs to the class of drugs known as opioids. Percocet contains oxycodone, an opioid, and also acetaminophen, which is not an opioid.
Pain Relieving Effects
Acetaminophen is an over-the-counter product when sold on its own and can cause pain relief by blocking specific hormones in the body.
Acetaminophen does not affect the central nervous system the same way opioid drugs do. Opioids, such as oxycodone, bind to opioid receptors, leading to numbness and pain relief. Opioid medications are only available as prescription drugs.
Percocet causes pain relief through the effects of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Oxycodone only causes pain relief through the effects of oxycodone.
Formulation
Percocet is only available in immediate-release formulations, while other oxycodone products are either immediate-release or extended-release formulations.
Side Effects Of Percocet & Oxycodone
Taking Percocet can cause a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen’s side effects, such as:
- dizziness
- skin rash
- drowsiness
- sedation
- constipation
- liver problems
Taking oxycodone only can reduce your chances of certain side effects, including skin rash and liver problems.
How Oxycodone & Percocet Are Similar
Percocet and oxycodone are both pain medications prescribed for moderate to severe pain management. Both may only be prescribed as short-term pain relievers.
Abuse Potential
Both products can be abused for their sedative effects. Abusing either oxycodone, Percocet, or both drugs can be dangerous to your health. The health risks of opioid abuse likely outweighs the short-term benefits.
Opioid Overdose
Taking either oxycodone or Percocet can increase your risk of opioid overdose, especially when you take higher doses of opioids than your body can handle. Opioid overdoses cause thousands of overdose deaths in Ohio every year.
Signs of an oxycodone overdose may include:
- respiratory depression
- trouble breathing
- low blood pressure and heart rate
- clammy skin
- loss of consciousness
Overdosing on acetaminophen when taking combination products is less common than only overdosing on opioids. However, an acetaminophen overdose can be life-threatening due to the potential for liver damage and liver failure.
If you have a medical history of liver problems, you can talk to your healthcare provider about the health risks of taking Percocet.
Opioid Addiction
Oxycodone products such as Percocet and OxyContin may be widely available for substance abuse in Ohio.
Abusing oxycodone products in Ohio can lead to worsening mental health, withdrawal symptoms when trying to quit, and other serious health problems related to substance use disorder.
If you or a loved one live with a substance use disorder caused by oxycodone products, contact Ohio Recovery Center to learn how our opioid addiction treatment options can improve your quality of life.
Percocet Vs. Oxycodone Frequently Asked Questions
Percocet and oxycodone are not the same drug, but they are similar enough that people often question how the two medications impact specific physical processes as well as treatment in the case of abuse.
Why Does Percocet Have An Increased Risk Of Causing Liver Damage?
Percocet is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, which has hepatoxic potential. At therapeutic levels damage to the liver is highly unlikely, but even therapeutic doses can increase serum aminotransferase levels.
When Percocet is abused, there is a risk that the metabolites created by the breakdown of acetaminophen could overwhelm the liver, causing severe damage and even death as a result of liver failure.
Can A Person Receive Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) For Percocet Or Oxycodone?
Yes, medication-assisted treatment (MAT) is a viable treatment option for chemical dependence related to either Percocet or oxycodone.
Methadone and buprenorphine are two of the most common medications used to address opioid addictions.
- Drug Enforcement Administration https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2020-06/Oxycodone-2020_0.pdf
- Food and Drug Administration https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2006/040330s015,040341s013,040434s003lbl.pdf
- National Library of Medicine: StatPearls https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482369/
- National Library of Medicine: StatPearls https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482226/
