Percocet is a prescription pain medication that combines oxycodone, an opioid, with acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer. Doctors may prescribe Percocet for moderate to severe pain when other pain management options are not enough. When taken exactly as prescribed, it can help manage severe pain. However, because Percocet contains oxycodone, it also carries risks of side effects, dependence, misuse, overdose, and addiction.

What is Percocet?

Percocet is a prescription pain medication that combines oxycodone and acetaminophen.¹ Oxycodone is an opioid that changes how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. Acetaminophen is a non-opioid medication that can reduce pain and fever. Together, these ingredients may be prescribed when pain is severe enough to require an opioid medication and other options aren’t sufficient.

Percocet is most often used for short-term pain relief. A doctor may prescribe it after surgery, a serious injury, a dental procedure, or another painful medical condition. Because Percocet can be habit-forming, it should only be taken under the guidance of a licensed medical provider.

Is Percocet an opioid?

Yes. Percocet is an opioid because it contains oxycodone. Acetaminophen is not an opioid, but oxycodone is. Opioid medications can cause tolerance, physical dependence, withdrawal symptoms, and addiction, even if someone first starts taking them as prescribed.

Percocet side effects

Percocet side effects can range from mild discomfort to serious medical complications.² The way a person responds may depend on their dose, how long they have been taking it, other medications they use, their health history, and whether they take Percocet as prescribed.

Common short-term Percocet side effects

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Itching
• Headache
• Mood changes

Some people may also feel relaxed, euphoric, or emotionally numb while taking Percocet—especially if they are misusing the medication by taking higher doses or more often than prescribed. This is sometimes described as a Percocet high. While not everyone experiences euphoria, this effect can make the medication more likely to be misused. Misusing Percocet for a high can increase the risk of overdose and addiction.

Serious Percocet side effects

Serious Percocet side effects may include:

• Slowed or shallow breathing
• Extreme sleepiness
• Confusion
• Fainting
• Low blood pressure
• Severe constipation
• Allergic reaction
• Liver injury related to acetaminophen
• Dependence or withdrawal symptoms
• Overdose

The oxycodone in Percocet can slow breathing, especially when taken in high doses or combined with alcohol, sleep medications, benzodiazepines, or other substances that depress the central nervous system. The acetaminophen in Percocet can also be dangerous when taken in high amounts or combined with other acetaminophen-containing medications, because excessive acetaminophen exposure has been linked to acute liver failure.³

How does Percocet work?

Percocet works by combining the effects of oxycodone and acetaminophen.⁴

Oxycodone binds to opioid receptors in the brain, spinal cord, and other areas of the body. When opioids activate these receptors, they block pain signals and create feelings of relief. Opioids can also release dopamine in the brain’s reward system, which is how they become habit-forming.

Acetaminophen works differently. It’s not an opioid and does not produce the same effects on dopamine as oxycodone. Instead, acetaminophen helps reduce pain and fever. When combined with oxycodone, it can support pain relief, but it also adds its own safety risks when a high dose is taken.

Long-term effects of Percocet abuse

Possible long-term effects of Percocet abuse include:

• Tolerance: Over time, the same dose may feel less effective. A person may begin taking more to feel relief or avoid discomfort.
• Physical dependence: The body may adapt to the presence of oxycodone, leading to withdrawal symptoms when use is reduced or stopped.
• Opioid addiction: A person may continue using Percocet despite harm to their health, relationships, work, finances, or responsibilities.
• Respiratory problems: Opioids can slow breathing, including during sleep. Breathing issues can become life-threatening in high doses or when combined with other sedating substances.⁵
• Liver damage: Because Percocet contains acetaminophen, taking too much can increase the risk of serious liver injury.
• Kidney strain or damage: Long-term misuse of pain medications may contribute to kidney problems in some people.
• Chronic constipation and digestive issues: Opioids can slow the digestive system, sometimes causing ongoing gastrointestinal discomfort.
• Hormonal changes: Long-term opioid use may affect sex hormones, libido, and energy levels.
• Cognitive changes: Ongoing misuse can affect attention, memory, decision-making, and emotional regulation.
• Immune system effects: Long-term opioid exposure may affect immune functioning in some individuals.
• Mental health decline: Percocet abuse may worsen depression, anxiety, isolation, shame, or emotional instability.

Long-term misuse can also affect someone’s relationships, career, education, finances, and sense of stability. What begins as pain relief can gradually become a cycle of tolerance, withdrawal, cravings, and continued use.

Percocet and depression

Many people living with depression also struggle with chronic pain and may be prescribed Percocet and an antidepressant. Percocet can interfere with antidepressants like SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors), SNRIs (selective norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors), tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs), and triptans. One major risk of these interactions is overdose.⁶

Taking Percocet with antidepressants that affect serotonin levels may also increase the risk of serotonin syndrome. The symptoms of serotonin syndrome include nausea, blood pressure changes, rapid heartbeat, and possible hallucinations. It can depress the central nervous system and slow breathing. This risk is increased if Percocet and antidepressants are also taken with alcohol or other sedative medications. Be sure to alert your doctor if you’re taking another medication before taking Percocet.

How Percocet use can lead to misuse or addiction

Percocet use can lead to misuse or addiction because of the way oxycodone affects pain, pleasure, and reward pathways in the brain, causing a “Percocet high.” Not everyone who takes Percocet becomes addicted. However, the risk increases when the medication is taken in ways other than prescribed.

Someone may start misusing Percocet because they need a higher dose to feel the same effects, experience mental relief in addition to pain management, or start relying on Percocet to feel “normal.” These are common ways people misuse Percocet:

• Taking higher doses than prescribed
• Taking Percocet more often than directed
• Taking it for longer than recommended
• Using someone else’s prescription
• Taking Percocet to feel relaxed, euphoric, or emotionally numb
• Crushing, snorting, or injecting tablets
• Mixing Percocet with alcohol or other substances
• Continuing to use Percocet despite negative consequences

Dependence can develop when the body becomes used to having Percocet in its system. Addiction involves a more complex pattern of cravings, loss of control, and continued use despite harm. Both dependence and addiction deserve compassionate, professional support.

Signs of Percocet addiction or abuse

The signs of Percocet addiction can be subtle at first, especially when someone has a legitimate prescription. Over time, the pattern may become harder to hide.

Behavioral signs of Percocet abuse

• Taking more Percocet than prescribed
• Running out of medication early
• Asking for early refills
• Visiting multiple doctors or pharmacies to obtain prescriptions
• Taking medication from friends or family members
• Hiding pill bottles or being secretive about use
• Making excuses for sedation or missed responsibilities
• Withdrawing from family, friends, hobbies, or work
• Missing school, work, appointments, or family obligations
• Continuing to use Percocet despite consequences

Physical signs of Percocet addiction

• Excessive drowsiness
• Nodding off
• Slowed speech
• Poor coordination
• Pinpoint pupils
• Confusion
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Itching or sweating
• Changes in appetite
• Unusual sleep patterns
• Withdrawal symptoms when not using

Emotional signs of Percocet misuse

• Mood swings
• Irritability
• Anxiety when medication is unavailable
• Depression
• Emotional numbness
• Loss of motivation
• Cravings
• Fear of running out
• Defensiveness when asked about use

A loved one may insist everything is under control, even when their behavior has changed. Approaching the conversation with compassion and concern rather than blame can make it easier for them to hear you. Percocet addiction is treatable, and asking for help is a strong first step.

Risks of abuse, overuse, or overdose

Percocet overuse and abuse can lead to addiction. It also carries a high risk of opioid overdose, especially when used with other sedatives, like Xanax or alcohol.

If you recognize these signs of overdose, call 911. You can also administer Narcan (naloxone) if available. Emergency services should still be called, because they may need to administer more doses of Narcan. Roll the person on their side to reduce the risk of choking.

• Slowed, shallow, irregular, or stopped breathing
• Nodding off and not being able to wake up or respond
• Limp body
• Cold or clammy skin
• Pinpoint pupils
• Blue, gray, or pale lips or fingernails
• Vomiting
• Gurgling or choking sounds
• Loss of consciousness

Percocet addiction treatment options

If you or a loved one struggles with Percocet addiction, help is available. Evidence-based, compassionate care can help start the recovery process. Common treatment options are medical detox when needed, residential care, and outpatient care with medication-assisted treatment and behavioral therapies.

• Medical detox: Clinically supported care to manage withdrawal symptoms like intense cravings and the return of pain that was managed with Percocet.
• Residential treatment: Live-in programs that provide safe, supportive environments and care from licensed addiction treatment professionals. Residential care is usually 30–60 days and removes people from triggering situations and places.
• Medication-assisted treatment (MAT): Uses FDA-approved medications for opioid use disorder (MOUDs) to manage withdrawal symptoms and cravings. MAT can be used long-term for some people.
• Behavioral therapies: Becoming free of Percocet abuse or addiction often requires making strategic, significant modifications to living arrangements and everyday routines. Underlying health and mental health disorders must also be managed without opioids. Therapists and addiction counselors work closely with clients to develop new coping and life skills that enable a life free of opioids.

The Arbor offers residential and evidence-based therapy services at our campus in Georgetown, TX. With gender-specific and co-occurring mental health treatment programs, you or a loved one can find the right care to start recovery.

Find opioid addiction treatment in Georgetown, Texas

If Percocet use has started to feel difficult to control, you are not alone. What may have begun as a prescription for real pain can become something that affects your health, relationships, work, and peace of mind. The right support can help you take the next step with clarity and dignity.

The Arbor provides opioid addiction treatment in Georgetown, Texas, just outside Austin. Our team supports clients through personalized, compassionate care. Get started today by calling or contacting us online.

Sources:

1. FDA, Percocet Label, Accessed June 2026.
2. Mayo Clinic, Oxycodone and acetaminophen (oral route), Accessed June 2026.
3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, LiverTox®: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Accessed June 2026.
4. GoodRx, oxycodone / acetaminophen, Accessed June 2026.
5. The Primary Care Companion for CNS Disorders, A Review of Potential Adverse Effects of Long-Term Opioid Therapy: A Practitioner’s Guide, Accessed June 2026.
6. University of South Carolina, Taking certain opioids while on commonly prescribed antidepressants may increase the risk of overdose, Accessed June 2026.