Percocet is the trade name for the combination of oxycodone and paracetamol. Oxycodone is a powerful pain reliever used in the medical industry for the treatment of cancer pain, traumatic pain, and post-surgical pain.
Paracetamol, also known as acetaminophen, boosts the effects of oxycodone, making Percocet a powerful pain relieving substance. This combination can be used for the treatment of pain ranging from moderate to severe. It is marketed by Endo International plc, a pharmaceutical company that formerly goes by the name Endo Pharmaceuticals.
Despite its medical benefits, this drug can be addictive if taken in larger doses. The problem is that recreational users often take extremely high doses of this drug. This leads to a number of health problems, as well as dependence, addiction, and withdrawal.
What gets people hooked to this substance is the euphoric feeling it provides when taken in large doses. The body relaxes and feels pleasure during this high.
Unfortunately, though people mistake this drug as somewhat being “relatively safer” than other illicit drugs, Percocet is indeed dangerous when abused.
In 2009, the FDA recommended that Percocet, Vicodin, and other combinations of acetaminophen with narcotic analgesics should have a limited presence in the market. The drugs’ accessibility made it easier for people to abuse them, leading not only to adverse effects but also death. 400 acetaminophen-related deaths were recorded that year. Most of these cases involved acetaminophen overdose and liver damage.
There are a few signs you can look out for if you fear that someone you love is abusing the drug. They will display lightheadedness, drowsiness, and general confusion, all because of the drug’s relaxing effects. They may suffer from excessive sweating, headaches, and vomiting.
However, beyond these symptoms, there are other telling signs that someone is addicted to Percocet.
For example, if they are “doctor shopping”—meaning they are visiting different doctors to get the same prescription over and over again, that’s a clear indication. Obtaining the drug becomes their top priority, and they will not hesitate to consult various doctors in different cities for it.
Behavioral changes will manifest. They will be taking this drug more often than is prescribed. They will take it in higher doses. They may even try to hide their Percocet intake to cover up their addiction.
If they begin crushing, snorting, or injecting the drug, this is a red flag.
Just like any other drug, Percocet can cause a person to develop dependence and addiction. This opens them up to a lot of health problems, affecting their liver, their brain, and the rest of their body.
Liver failure is a common result of long term Percocet abuse. Other effects include panic attacks, muscle pain, weakness, sleepiness, dizziness, gastrointestinal upset, and in the worst cases, death.
A person who has developed dependence will not be able to quit abruptly, as they will experience withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is a problem that must be addressed properly, with the right medical care and assistance.
Once the body has adapted to the drug’s constant presence, it will start to react negatively if the user stops taking it. They may experience full body pain, diarrhea, nausea, anxiety, insomnia, abdominal cramps, and muscle spasms. Some users even reported suffering from major depression, paranoia, and bouts of aggression.
Withdrawal must be handled by a medical professional during the process of detoxification. If someone you love is abusing the drug, try to find the best rehabilitation facility for them, and they will come up with the best treatment method for the patient.