Snorting Percocet | Effects & Dangers Of Percocet Insufflation

Manish Mishra, MBBS

Medically Reviewed By: Manish Mishra, MBBS

on December 20, 2022

Snorting Percocet may cause a number of effects such as sedation, drowsiness, and feelings of relaxation. However, some of the dangers of snorting Percocet include a persistent runny nose, recurring nosebleeds, and an increased risk of overdose.

Percocet (the brand name for the combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone) is a prescription painkiller offered as a tablet that can be crushed into a fine powder and snorted

Considered to be a Schedule II controlled substance, Percocet is a strong prescription opioid that has a high potential for abuse and can lead to psychological or physical dependence.

Snorting oxycodone can lead to serious side effects due to how quickly the drug enters the bloodstream. 

This prescription opioid is prescribed for pain relief and works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and depressing the central nervous system (CNS), providing feelings of relaxation and sedation.

As a prescription drug, Percocet is approved to be used for severe pain and should not be abused. However, those who do participate in opioid use and snort oxycodone may experience a number of serious side effects and dangers to their health.

Effects Of Snorting Percocet

There are side effects of snorting oxycodone which can range in severity. Because Percocet enters the bloodstream more quickly than when the pain reliever is taken orally, the effects can be greater and occur more quickly.

Some of the increased side effects a person may experience include the following:

  • drowsiness
  • headache
  • constipation
  • dry mouth
  • changes in mood
  • sedation
  • dizziness

Withdrawal Symptoms

A person may also experience severe withdrawal symptoms if they abruptly stop taking the drug. As stated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), withdrawal symptoms may consist of:

  • irritability
  • chills
  • nausea
  • vomiting
  • increased heart rate
  • cravings for the drug

Those participating in substance use by snorting Percocet can experience all of these side effects as well as other dangers which may lead to serious health problems.

Dangers Of Snorting Percocet

Snorting Percocet can create a number of dangers and health concerns. If a person shares paraphernalia such as a straw with others to snort the drug and nosebleeds occur, a person may develop a disease such as hepatitis.

Damage To The Sinuses

Snorting Percocet can create a high risk of damage to the nasal passages. Those participating in intranasal ingestion of a crushed Percocet tablet may experience chronic lung infections due to tissue damage and inflammation of the nasal lining.

In addition to this, those who snort Percocet may experience repeated nosebleeds or a persistent runny nose. Damage to the sinuses can take place when the nasal cavity is continuously aggravated from insufflation.

Mucous membranes of the nasal cavity can become infected over time which may lead to a deviated septum or bacterial infections.

Oxycodone Overdose

Those with an opioid addiction may turn to snorting Percocet. Snorting oxycodone is dangerous and can result in an increased risk of overdose. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) states a person may display life-threatening symptoms if an opioid overdose takes place.

Symptoms of a Percocet overdose may include:

  • respiratory depression
  • loss of consciousness
  • low blood pressure
  • seizures
  • brain damage

Seek urgent medical attention, or administer the reversal drug naloxone, if an overdose is suspected.

Percocet Addiction Treatment

If you or a loved one are struggling with drug use, consider finding a treatment center in Ohio to assist you on your road to recovery. In fact, there are a number of treatment options which may be necessary to help you during the treatment process.

Detox

One of the first steps in many treatment programs is detoxification. With this process, your body will rid itself of the unwanted substances and toxins within your body.

Although typically a short-term process, you will be monitored throughout by healthcare professionals.

Inpatient Care

Other addiction centers may provide inpatient or outpatient care. As an inpatient, you stay in a structured and controlled environment in which healthcare professionals can be readily available to you.

Inpatient care at a treatment facility allows you to participate in certain group therapies and behavioral health practices which may prove to be beneficial for your health. After receiving care at a rehab center, consider aftercare sources such as 12-step programs and therapy.

To learn more about our inpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, please contact Ohio Recovery Center today.

  1. Food and Drug Administration — Percocet https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2006/040330s015,040341s013,040434s003lbl.pdf
  2. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology — Pharmacokinetics of intranasal Crushed OxyContin and Intravenous Oxycodone in Nondependent Prescription Opioid Abusers https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4006196/
  3. Journal of Medical Toxicology — Nasopharyngeal Necrosis After Chronic Opioid (Oxycodone/Acetaminophen) Insufflation https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3550247/
  4. National Institute on Drug Abuse — What Are Prescription Opioids? https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugfacts/prescription-opioids
  5. National Library of Medicine: MedlinePlus — Oxycodone https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682132.html

Written by Ohio Recovery Center Editorial Team

© 2024 Ohio Recovery Center | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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