• Risk factors: Personal or family history of alcohol or substance use disorder | Personal or family history of mental health problems

 Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) is a controlled substance that has a risk for addiction and misuse. Take the medication exactly as prescribed. Don’t change the dose or how often you take it without talking to your provider first. Misusing this medication might cause it to be less effective (not work well). It can also raise the risk for serious and possibly life-threatening side effects, such as dangerously slow breathing, inability to stay awake, and opioid overdose. Your healthcare provider will prescribe the lowest amount of Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) that’s necessary to manage your pain for the shortest period of time possible.

• Risk factors: Taking medications that can cause slow breathing | Drinking alcohol | Older age | Being frail | Medical conditions that cause breathing problems (e.g., COPD, asthma, head injury) | Taking too much Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen)

Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) can cause dangerously slow breathing, which can be life-threatening. This can happen to anyone. But the risk is greatest when you first start treatment or if your dose goes up. Don’t take Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) with alcohol or other medications that slow your body down (e.g., benzodiazepines, other opioids, muscle relaxants). Doing so raises your risk of extremely slowed breathing. Your provider might prescribe naloxone (Narcan, Zimhi), which is a medication that can reverse slowed breathing from opioids. Make sure to carry it with you at all times in case you experience breathing problems. If you or your loved one notice you have trouble breathing or have bluish-colored lips, fingers, or toes, use naloxone if you have it and call 911 to get medical help right away.

• Risk factors: History of opioid use disorder | Previous opioid overdose | Taking high doses of Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) | Taking more opioids than prescribed | Alcohol use

 Take Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) exactly as prescribed. Taking too much Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) or taking it more often than prescribed can lead to an overdose. Symptoms of an opioid overdose include not responding to sound or touch, extremely slowed breathing, extreme sleepiness, slow heartbeat, and cold or clammy skin. Be sure you and your loved ones know how to recognize an overdose. Your provider will likely prescribe naloxone (Narcan, Zimhi), an opioid antagonist that can treat an opioid overdose. Make sure you carry naloxone with you at all times in case you experience an overdose. Call 911 right away if this happens. Store your medication out of reach from children, pets, or visitors to prevent accidental exposure or overdose.

• Risk factors: Taking high doses of Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) | Age 65 years or older | Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications that can cause sleepiness

Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) can cause extreme sleepiness and lower your ability to think, react, and focus. Don’t drink alcohol or take other medications that can cause sleepiness or “brain fog” (e.g., benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants, sleep medications) with Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen). Doing so can worsen these side effects. Make sure you know how this medication affects you before driving a car or doing activities that require your concentration. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if you feel too sleepy from taking Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen).

• Risk factors: Drinking alcohol | Taking other medications containing acetaminophen | Taking too much Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) | History of liver problems

Taking too much acetaminophen can cause liver damage that can be permanent and life-threatening. For adults, the maximum amount of acetaminophen is 3 or 4 grams in a 24-hour period, depending on your provider’s instructions.

Speak to your provider before using Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) if you have liver problems since it can cause further damage to your liver. Also avoid drinking alcohol while taking Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) because this combination can harm your liver too.

Signs of liver problems include dark urine, feeling tired, upset stomach or stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your provider right away.

 The ingredients in Percocet (oxycodone and acetaminophen) can interact with a lot of common medications. Some medications can raise Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) levels in your body, which can raise your risk for side effects and even potentially life-threatening slowed breathing. These medications include erythromycin, ketoconazole, and ritonavir (Norvir).

Other medications, such as rifampin (Rifadin) and carbamazepine (Tegretol), can lower the levels of Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) in your body. This can cause Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) to not work as well to manage your pain. This interaction might also cause withdrawal symptoms.

If you’re already taking stable doses of Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) together with one of these other medications, don’t stop taking them suddenly. Doing so can also lead to unsafe Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) levels. Let your provider or pharmacist know what other medications you’re taking before starting Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) to make sure your medications are safe for you to take.

 Long-term use of Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) during pregnancy can cause your unborn baby to become dependent on the medication. This is because the opioid (oxycodone) can pass through the placenta to your unborn baby. Once your baby is born, they can experience withdrawal symptoms, such as high-pitched crying, poor feeding and sucking behavior, trembling, abnormal sleep patterns, and seizures. This condition is called neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome and can be life-threatening if not recognized and treated in time. Let your healthcare provider know if you’ve used Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) during pregnancy or if you notice these symptoms in your baby.

• Risk factors: Allergy to other opioids

Severe allergic reactions to Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis (e.g., closing of the throat). Additionally, although rare, acetaminophen can cause serious skin reactions, such as rash, blisters, skin reddening, or skin peeling. If you notice these changes in your skin, swelling of the lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing, stop using Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) and get medical attention right away.

• Risk factors: Long-term use of Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen)

If taken regularly for a long time, Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) can cause physical dependence. This means that your body relies on the medication to function. You might experience withdrawal if you stop taking the medication suddenly. Withdrawal symptoms include anxiety, restlessness, irritability, runny nose, yawning, sweating, and chills. Don’t lower your dose or stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider first. Your provider will slowly lower your dose to prevent withdrawal symptoms. If you have concerns about taking Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) because of this risk, talk to your healthcare provider about alternative pain medications.

Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) can cause extremely low blood pressure. Your blood pressure might drop suddenly when you stand from a sitting or lying down position. This can lead to dizziness and fainting. To avoid falling, get up slowly if you’ve been sitting or lying down. If dizziness or lightheadedness doesn’t go away, talk to your healthcare provider.

• Risk factors: Taking Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) for longer than 1 month

Some people taking opioids like Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) experienced low adrenal hormone levels. This might be more likely to happen after taking opioids for longer than 1 month. Symptoms include tiredness, dizziness, weakness, not feeling hungry, nausea, and vomiting. Let your provider know if you experience these symptoms. If your adrenal hormone levels are too low, you might need to stop Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) and be treated with corticosteroids.

• Risk factors: History of seizure conditions

If you’ve had a seizure in the past, opioids can raise the risk of having seizures more often. Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) can also raise your risk of seizures in certain situations. Get medical help immediately if you have a seizure while taking Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen).