Narconon Looks at the Percocet Side Effects

Percocet Side Effects

What is Percocet

Percocet is one of the narcotic/acetaminophen combination drugs that the FDA voted to ban completely in 2009. Instead, lower doses of acetaminophen were recommended, in an attempt to reduce fatalities from Percocet and other combination drugs (such as Tylenol3) due to acute side effects, including liver failure.

Percocet is a prescription narcotic. Percocet contains oxycodone hydrochloride and APAP (acetaminophen). Side effects, including symptoms of dependence will occur with increased dose and long term use. Long term use of Percocet is for more than 3 days for fever, or 10 days in total, except on advice of a doctor.

The maximum daily dose is 4g for acetaminophen (APAP in Percocet) and Percocet contains either 325mg, 500mg or 650mg depending on the oxycodone content that ranges from 2.5 to 10mg per dose. Taking 6 10/650mg doses of Percocet is the limit of tolerance for APAP.

Percocet Side Effects

Percocet is used to treat toothache, period pain, backaches, neck aches, head and muscular pain, fever, osteoarthritis and flu. Symptoms of liver dysfunction are very similar to the effects of narcotic and APAP dependence. People with existing liver damage are seriously at risk of Percocet side effects, with further liver damage leading to total liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure include yellowing (jaundice), tiredness, stomach pains and vomiting, dark urine with skin irritability, coma and death.

Other side effects of Percocet include rashes, swellings, breathing difficulties and dizzy spells. Constipation is a major side effect of taking any opioid. Taking medications that fail to stimulate the bowel can be hazardous to health. Severe constipation, although often made fun of, can be a life threatening complication, during pregnancy, after labor and major surgery.

Acute toxicity to acetaminophen starts in the range 150mg/kl, leading to oxidative damage in the liver, mitochondrial dysfunction (genetic damage) and inflammation – extending from the liver to peripheral organs such as the kidneys. Acetaminophen toxicity is exacerbated with stress, illness and interactive drugs.

Alcohol, antihistamines and barbiturates can interact with Percocet, and cause memory loss, confusion, difficulties breathing, leading to coma and death. Consumption of alcohol can increase the risk of liver damage and liver failure. People with diabetes are at risk of complications as are people with hypothyroidism, asthma, low blood pressure, seizures, epilepsy, lung disease gall bladder problems or history of drug dependence, and when there is liver or kidney disease. Percocet crosses the placental barrier, and side effects can damage the unborn child, and when breast feeding.

Drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, histamine response, euphoria or dysphoria and constipation are common non-lethal side effects with Percocet use.

Percocet Witdrawal Symptoms

There are also Percocet withdrawal side effects that include sweating, flue like symptoms and a runny nose, diarrhea, goose bumps and muscle pain. Symptoms can be as intense as and are identical with heroin withdrawal. Anxiety agitation and panic attacks, paranoia can occur. Percocet withdrawal is said to be unlikely to cause life-threatening symptoms but it will depend on the vulnerabilities of the particular user.

Sources: www.nlm.nih.gov, www.teens.drugabuse.gov/facts/

People need to explore the alternatives in natural, non-narcotic pain relief instead of placing their lives at risk by using addictive, prescription narcotics.

To get information about our Natural drug rehab program Contact Narconon, 1-877-782-7409.

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