Percocet is a prescribed medication given for mild to acute pain relief. The medication does not generally have a side effect, however, some have been reported that you must know of.
Percocet is an opioid analgesic pain killer given to relieve a mild to severely acute pain. You may have been prescribed this drug for immediate relief from such pain, and some of you may have experienced certain after effects of this medicine. Even though its side effects are extremely rare, some cases have been reported in which the drug has caused mild to severe reactions. So, if you have been prescribed this medication, take a look its possible side effects and contact your health care provider immediately, if you notice them.
What is Percocet?
Percocet is a North American brand name for oxycodone. It is originally an odorless, white crystalline with a bitter taste. It also contains other chemicals, which are basically non-reactive, and are listed below:
- Colloidal silicon dioxide
- Crospovidone
- Pregelatinized cornstarch
- Povidone
- Croscarmellose sodium
- Microcrystalline cellulose
- Stearic acid
Side Effects
The medicine is tolerated by most of the people taking it. However, like any other drug, Percocet has its ill effects, which are mostly mild, and do not require any treatment. Following are the mild and most common negative effects of this medicine.
- Nausea
- Drowsiness
- Lightheaded feeling
- Constipation
- Dysphoria (an unpleasant or depressed feeling)
- Itching
- Dry mouth
Many think that nausea is an allergic reaction to percocet, but it is not. If you try taking it along with food, the feeling of nausea can be reduced.
Addiction
Oxycodone addiction is commonly seen ion North America, as it is a narcotic drug. If you are someone like Dr. House, popping a Vicodin every few hours to relieve yourself from pain, then you need help. Once you get addicted to this, the drug dependency demands more opiate to have the same effect it did earlier, thus spiraling the physical dependency on the drug out of control. Following are its long term side effects:
- Cold sweats
- Extreme anxiety
- Excruciating pain
- Decreased urination
- Confusion
Withdrawal Symptoms
When an individual addicted to percocet abruptly stops taking it, the body asks for it. If it does not receive the dosage, it responds by demonstrating side effects. Although these withdrawal symptoms vary from one individual to another, there are certain most common ones that are mentioned below:
- Aches and pains
- Hallucinations
- Diarrhea
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- Salivation
- Pronounced depression
- Piloerection (erection of hair on skin)
Overdose
These are the effects of Percocet abuse. This may also happen when you keep increasing your dose when addicted to it.
- Blue Lips
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Dark urine
- Constricted breathing
- Constricted pupils
- Clammy skin
- Coma
Side effects of Percocet thus, may vary according to the way it is being used or abused. It’s better to use the drug in moderation, and only when required and prescribed by the doctor.
