Percocet is a powerful painkiller that is prescribed when over the counter medications fail to relieve pain. Scroll down to know more about the dosage of this prescription painkiller.
Percocet is a powerful combination of two painkillers; oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is a narcotic, which acts as an excellent numbing agent. Percocet is commonly used to treat post surgical pain. Pain associated with physical injuries such as accidents is also treated with this painkiller. The medication is also helpful to manage pain associated with cancer patients.
Dosage
The dosage of this medication is dependent on a number of factors, the most important being the age. To put it simply, the dosage of percocet in children will be always lower than that of adults. Patients with certain medical conditions like low blood pressure and hypothyroidism will have to take this medicine in less than normal doses. Drug interactions of percocet with other medicines can also cause some bothersome side effects. So, those, who are put on drugs like antidepressants, painkillers, and sleep-inducing medicines, need to inform the doctor before taking percocet.
Percocet Tablets
Percocet tablets are available in various strengths. Higher the strength of the tablet, greater will be the concentration of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Each percocet tablet specifies the amount of oxycodone and acetaminophen present in it. For instance, a percocet 2.5/325 mg means the tablet contains 2.5 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen.
Percocet Dosage for Adults
Usually adults complaining about pain after injury or surgery and that doesn’t subside with OTC drugs, are advised to take percocet 2.5/325 mg tablets. Depending upon the severity of pain, the patient can take a maximum of 4 to 8 percocet 2.5/325 mg tablets in a day. However, make sure that each percocet 2.5/325 dose is separated by a time span of 6 hours.
In some cases, a higher dose of oxycodone is needed to get relief from pain. So, taking percocet 5/325 mg that contains a higher concentration of oxycodone may be needed. In order to reduce pain, the patient can take 4 to 8 percocet 5/325 mg tablets in a day. However, when you take the first dose of percocet 5/325 mg, the next dose must be taken after 6 hours.
Sometimes, percocet 7.5/325 mg is recommended when lower strength tablets fail to alleviate the pain. The patient can take 4 to 8 percocet 7.5/325 mg tablets in a day. However, make sure the each percocet 7.5/325 dose is separated by a time span of 6 hours.
Percocet that contain 325 mg of acetaminophen may prove inefficient in decreasing pain. In such cases, increasing the concentration of acetaminophen may serve the purpose. Hence, 7.5/500 mg percocet tablets may be prescribed. To reduce pain, the patient can take 4 percocet 7.5/500 mg tablets in a day. However, when you take the first dose of percocet 7.5/500 mg, the next dose must be taken after 6 hours.
Sometimes, percocet tablets that contain higher doses of oxycodone but lower concentration of acetaminophen work to eliminate discomfort. That is why, some patients put on percocet 10/325 mg tablets experience relief from pain. For reducing pain, the patient can take a maximum of 4 percocet 10/325 mg tablets in a day. However, when you take the first dose of percocet 10/325 mg, the next dose must be taken after 6 hours.
If none of the above percocet tablets help to decrease pain, the last resort would be to have percocet 10/650 mg. This tablets contains both acetaminophen and oxycodone in high amounts and may provide short-term relief. The patient can take a maximum of 4 percocet 10/650 mg tablets in a day. However, make sure that each percocet 10/650 mg dose is separated by a time span of 6 hours.
Caution
The medication comes in the list of prescription drugs and so it is necessary to consult a doctor before taking it. In case of overdose, one must immediately inform the doctor. Adverse reactions from percocet overdose can be life-threatening if medical attention is ignored.
Taking percocet does produce few side effects like nausea and dizziness, that generally do not require any treatment. Many times, taking the medicine during meals can make the medicine well-tolerable. In case, these unwanted side effects continue to bother you, contact your doctor and look for other treatment options.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is solely for educating the reader. It is not intended to be a substitute for the advice of a medical expert.
