What Is Percodan?

Percodan is a prescription medication recommended to patients to relieve moderate to severe pain. It is classified as a combination medication because it contains two different pain relievers, oxycodone and aspirin. Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic that changes the way the brain interprets pain in order to reduce it. Aspirin is known as a salicylate and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that works by blocking natural substances in the body to reduce pain and swelling. Therefore, the aspirin side of this medication helps patients feel more comfortable and function normally.

Common side effects associated with Percodan are nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, headache, increased sweating, dry mouth, lightheadedness, and weakness. The majority of these common side effects do not require medical attention and should subside with time. If they happen to persist or worsen over time, let your doctor know.

You should notify your doctor as soon as possible if you experience any of the following after taking Percodan: 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. These are serious side effects that have been associated with Percodan and your doctor can provide the necessary guidance to manage these side effects.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience the following after taking Percodan: slow or shallow breathing, fainting, seizures, severe drowsiness, difficulty waking up, and signs of an allergic reaction such as rashes, itching or swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

Percodan Withdrawal and Detox

If you are no longer interested in treating your pain with Percodan, set up a meeting with your doctor before adjusting your Percodan treatment schedule or stopping the medication. A Percodan treatment regimen should never be suddenly stopped. Abruptly stopping your Percodan treatment will greatly increase the likelihood of experiencing enhanced, unwanted withdrawal symptoms. Most doctors will gradually taper off a Percodan patient’s dose over time so they can avoid severe withdrawal.

What Are Common Percodan Withdrawal Symptoms?

Common Percodan withdrawal symptoms include shakiness, dizziness, fever, nausea, agitation, and vomiting. You should never abruptly stop taking Percodan as your risk for experiencing the aforementioned withdrawal symptoms will greatly increasecocaine addiction can ensue.

Percodan Withdrawal Timeline and Symptom Durations

The Percodan withdrawal timeline and symptom durations differ for each patient due to their unique physiology. On average, most patients will experience Percodan withdrawal symptoms within 24 to 72 hours after they took their last dose. The withdrawal symptoms should subside within 5 to 7 days. However, this timeline may be either lengthened or shortened based on how long someone has been taking Percodan and their dosage levels.

Managing Withdrawal Symptoms of Percodan

Patients having difficulties managing the withdrawal symptoms of Percodan should seek a medically assisted detoxification program. This type of program gives patients a safe place to detox from Percodan while they can also take any questions about withdrawal they may have to medically-trained staff.

Percodan Medications and Detox

It is very important that patients keep an updated list of their current medications and share this with their doctor. This list should also include herbal products or over the counter medications, as these can all cause a potential interaction with Percodan.

Products which have been shown to interact with Percodan are acetazolamide, mercaptopurine, methotrexate, cimetidine, corticosteroids, mifepristone, naltrexone, butorphanol, nalbuphine, and pentazocine. Percodan may also increase the risk of bleeding if it is taken with other products that may cause bleeding. Examples of these products include anti-platelet drugs and blood thinners such as dabigatran, enoxaparin, warfarin, and more.

Some medications can affect the removal of Percodan from the body and therefore change the effectiveness of the medications. Examples of such products include azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, HIV medications, rifamycins, and anti-seizure medications.

In addition, the risk of experiencing serious Percodan side effects will greatly increase if the medication is taken with other products that may cause drowsiness or breathing problems. These include codeine, hydrocodone, alcohol, cannabis, sleeping drugs, alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem, carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine, cetirizine, and diphenhydramine.

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.