What Is Stronger Than Percocet 5 325
Percocet and oxycodone are both opioid drugs that can relieve pain. Percocet contains oxycodone as well as acetaminophen.
Percocet is the brand name of a medicine, while oxycodone is a generic ingredient in many branded drugs.
Percocet contains oxycodone, which is an opioid. It also contains acetaminophen, a pain relief medication sold over the counter as Tylenol.
The
warn that any prescription drug that combines acetaminophen with an opioid — as Percocet does — could potentially cause severe liver damage.
They also advise manufacturers to limit the amount of acetaminophen in these products to make them safer.
In this article, we explore the uses, side effects, and other risks of oxycodone and Percocet. We also look at which may be most effective.
Percocet contains oxycodone, which is an opioid medication — it binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, blocking certain pain signals.
Opioids can also trigger a sense of euphoria or sleepiness in some people, and they can be very addictive.
Doctors usually prescribe opioids when a person has moderate to severe pain, which may result from:
- surgery
- an injury such as a broken bone
- an infected tooth
- muscle damage
They may also prescribe opioids for chronic pain, but the
Acetaminophen, the other ingredient in Percocet, is a non-opioid pain relief medication that can reduce a fever. Over the counter, it is branded as Tylenol.
Percocet contains an amount of acetaminophen similar to that available over the counter.
The addition of acetaminophen increases oxycodone's effectiveness, which means that Percocet may offer more pain relief than oxycodone alone.
Because it contains acetaminophen, Percocet may also help with fever-related symptoms, such as chills, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Percocet and oxycodone can cause many of the same side effects, since oxycodone is an ingredient in Percocet.
Some of the most common side effects of oxycodone include:
- sleepiness
- brain fog, or feeling less alert
- headaches
- dizziness
- sweating
- a loss of appetite
- itchiness
- constipation
- nausea and vomiting
Some people experience more serious side effects, such as:
- allergic reactions
- confusion
- low blood pressure
- a slow heartbeat
- shallow breathing
- fainting
- seizures
A 2011 analysis of 601 people who took oxycodone found that
Opioids such as oxycodone are highly addictive. The National Institute on Drug Abuse estimate that
In 2018, 128 people died of opioid overdoses each day, making opioids the leading cause of drug overdose.
People can reduce the risk of misuse, addiction, and overdose by:
- telling their doctors about any history of drug addiction
- taking opioids only when necessary
- using no more than the recommended amount
- using opioids for the shortest possible period
The risk of addiction is higher when a person takes opioids to manage chronic pain, which requires longer-term use of the medication. This increases the chances of tolerance, dependence, and addiction.
Liver damage
Because Percocet also contains acetaminophen, it carries more risk of side effects than oxycodone alone.
The most notable additional side effects of Percocet are liver-related problems, such as dark urine.
In 2009, the FDA
Later, in 2011, the
advised drug manufacturers to limit the amount of acetaminophen in prescription drugs to 325 mg per tablet or less.
They also stated that boxed warning labels would be added to the packaging of these drugs to highlight the risk of liver damage.
People should never take Percocet and other drugs that contain acetaminophen, including over-the-counter versions, such as Tylenol.
Percocet's addictive potential increases the risk of liver injury, as some people may take significantly more than the recommended dosage. This can severely damage the liver.
Drugs that do not contain acetaminophen, including those that contain oxycodone only, tend to carry a significantly lower risk of liver damage.
The addition of acetaminophen to oxycodone in Percocet increases the effectiveness of the oxycodone. This may mean that, for people with severe pain who do not get relief from oxycodone alone, Percocet is more effective.
Acetaminophen can also reduce a fever, which may relieve discomfort associated with severe infections. It will not, however, treat the underlying infection.
Still, while Percocet may ease pain and relieve a fever, compared with oxycodone alone, it is not always more effective. Because of the additional risks of Percocet, it may be safer to try oxycodone first.
Doctors do not recommend Percocet for anyone with a history of liver issues. A person with this history should not take the drug, even if oxycodone alone does not work.
People who need help managing pain should talk with a doctor about their specific symptoms. For those with chronic pain, it may help to log symptoms over time so a doctor can observe the changes.
Both Percocet and oxycodone can offer significant pain relief for most people. However, some have to try different types of medication before they see improvements.
It is important to do this experimentation under close medical supervision. A person should consider speaking with a doctor who specializes in pain management.
What Is Stronger Than Percocet 5 325
Source: https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/oxycodone-vs-percocet