Percodan Signs, Symptoms, and Side Effects

Percodan is a prescription pain reliever recommended to patients experiencing moderate to severe pain. Misusing Percodan can lead to ringing in the ears, fever, slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness, slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, pinpoint pupils, cold/clammy skin, limp/weak muscles, coma, apnea, circulatory collapse, cardiac arrest and death. This medication has properties similar to morphine and has a high potential to cause the psychological disease of addiction, so do not take Percodan without a prescription

Percodan is a pain reliever made from two medications, oxycodone and aspirin. Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever that changes the way your body recognizes and reacts to pain, while aspirin is a NSAID pain reliever that relieves pain by targeting inflammation. Percodan is prescribed to those suffering from moderate to severe pain.

As with most prescription medications, taking Percodan may cause side effects. The more common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, increased sweating, dry mouth, lightheadedness, or weakness.

Serious side effects can also occur while taking Percodan, including:

1. Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
2. Mental/mood changes
3. Difficult or painful urination
4. Ringing in the ears
5. Decreased hearing
6. Vision changes
7. Easy bruising/bleeding
8. Stomach/abdominal pain
9. Black stools
10. Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
11. Yellowing eyes and/or skin
12. Dark urine
13. Persistent nausea
14. Signs of kidney problems
15. Loss of appetite
16. Unusual tiredness
17. Weight loss

Inform your doctor if you experience any reactions after taking Percodan, so your condition can be monitored. This not only ensures your safety and health while on Percodan, but it helps your doctor provide the highest level of care.

The FDA has listed Percodan as a schedule II drug under the Controlled Substance Act. This means that this prescription drug has a high potential for physical dependence or psychological addiction and misuse.

Always take Percodan only as directed. Taking this medication in a way other than directed can cause your breathing to slow or stop.

Indications you are misusing Percodan may include the symptoms listed above. Additional signs which may point to misuse are losing interest in the hobbies and activities you once enjoyed and becoming obsessed with finding and taking Percodan.

It is also important to be aware of the signs of Percodan overdose and call for help if you experience any of the symptoms. The most immediately life-threatening symptom is severe respiratory depression. Other symptoms of Percodan overdose include cold/clammy skin, blue lips and fingernails, and muscle flaccidity. Slow heart rate and low blood pressure may also occur.

Percodan may react to many other drugs (prescription and non-prescription), so tell your doctor if you are taking any medications concurrently with Percodan. Withdrawal symptoms from Percodan and Percodan misuse can be severe, so it’s important to work with your doctor when stopping this prescription.

Long-term effects of Percodan on your body can include liver damage, kidney failure, severe constipation, urinary retention, decreased testosterone levels, tolerance, and dependence.  Percodan is only intended to be taken in the short-term to treat acute moderate to severe pain.

The longer you take opioids, the less effective they become and the higher the chances are of physical and psychological addiction. Take Percodan only as directed.