What is Percodan?

Percodan is a medication prescribed to patients to relieve moderate to severe pain. Percodan is only available via prescription from your doctor. It is classified as a combination medication because it contains both the opioid oxycodone and the NSAID aspirin to reduce pain.

Patients beginning treatment with Percodan may notice side effects during the first stages of treatment. Common side effects of Percodan include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, increased sweating, dry mouth, lightheadedness, and weakness. In most situations, these side effects do not require medical attention and should go away with time. If they do not disappear or seem to get worse, let your doctor know which side effects are still ailing you.

Serious Percodan side effects include slow or irregular heartbeat, mood changes, agitation, hallucinations, depression, confusion, difficulty urinating, ringing in the ears, decreased hearing, vision changes, easy bruising or bleeding, stomach or abdominal pain, black stools, vomit resembling coffee grounds, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, persistent nausea, signs of kidney problems, loss of appetite, unusual tiredness, and weight loss. Let your doctor know immediately if any of these become noticeable.

You should seek emergency medical attention right away if you notice severe Percodan side effects such as slow or shallow breathing, fainting, seizures, severe drowsiness, difficulty waking up, or signs of an allergic reaction such as rashes, itching or swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

How Long Does Percodan Stay in Your System?

Percodan does not stay in the body for very long due to its short half-life. On average, Percodan will be removed from the body within a day of its use. However, this time frame may increase or decrease as each patient’s body processes Percodan in different ways.

Percodan Prescription Facts

Opioid pain-relievers are popular medications in the United States, especially for certain groups of people. Here are some statistics about opioid usage by age, sex, and race according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention:

  • American adults 40 years and up are more likely to take prescription opioids than those between the ages of 20 and 39.
  • Women are more likely to take prescription opioids than their male counterparts.
  • Non-Hispanic white Americans have the highest rate of opioid use among other races.

Percodan Regulations

Percodan is a medication you should only take with a prescription. Do not distribute this medication to anyone without a prescription or consume it recreationally, as this is against the law.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs Containing Percodan

The most commonly misused drugs containing Percodan are the medication itself and its generic versions Oxycodone Hcl-Oxycodone-ASA and Oxycodone-Aspirin. Remember, you should never take any of these medications without a prescription. Taking these drugs without a prescription is not only against the law, it is also dangerous.

How Percodan Affects the Brain and Body

Percodan effectively reduces pain because of its status as a combination medication. The opioid analgesic in the medication, oxycodone, reduces pain by changing the way the brain and body interpret and respond to it. The other pain-reliever, aspirin, reduces pain and swelling and makes patients feel more comfortable.

Half-Life of Percodan

Percodan has a very short half-life of just 2 to 3 hours. However, this half-life can be slightly shortened or extended due to unique factors belonging to a patient’s physiology.

Factors That Influence How Long Percodan Stays In Your System

Several factors influence how quickly the body processes Percodan and other substances. These factors include your age, metabolism, genetics, organ function, your Percodan dosage levels, and how often you take Percodan.

How Long Does Percodan Stay In Your Urine, Hair, and Blood?

The time frame that Percodan can be detected is different depending on which type of drug test you are administered. Here are some estimates as to how long Percodan may stay in your hair, urine, and blood:

  • Urine: In most cases, Percodan will go undetected in urine samples one day after it was last taken.
  • Hair: Percodan can be detected in hair follicles within 90 days of the last dose.
  • Blood: Percodan will be detected in blood tests within 24 hours of the last dose.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.