Is Percocet Addictive? Understanding Risks and Treatment
Percocet contains oxycodone and acetaminophen. Learn addiction warning signs, the difference from dependence, overdose risks, and treatment options.
Medically reviewed by Daniel R. Karlin, MD, MA, Chief Medical OfficerPubMedGoogle Scholar
Yes. Percocet contains oxycodone, an opioid that can lead to opioid use disorder. It also contains acetaminophen, a nonopioid pain reliever. Taking a prescription does not automatically cause addiction, but use requires attention to both ingredients and their risks.
If you are taking more than intended or struggling to control use, seek an assessment before the problem becomes a crisis.
What Percocet is
Percocet is a prescription tablet combining oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone acts at opioid receptors and can relieve pain, cause drowsiness, and slow breathing. Acetaminophen adds pain relief but brings a separate risk of liver injury when too much is taken.
Constipation, nausea, dizziness, and sedation can occur. Serious breathing problems can occur even without an addiction, particularly with other sedatives. Percocet prescribing information
Dependence does not always mean addiction
Physical dependence means the body has adapted and withdrawal may occur after stopping or reducing an opioid. Tolerance means the response to a dose has changed.
Opioid use disorder involves a problematic pattern of use causing impairment or distress. Under diagnostic criteria, tolerance and withdrawal alone do not count when they occur solely during appropriate medical treatment. CDC: Diagnosing opioid use disorder
This distinction should encourage an honest assessment, not minimize concerns. Someone can have pain, physical dependence, and opioid use disorder at the same time.
Signs that use needs review
Tell a clinician if you are taking larger amounts than planned, repeatedly trying unsuccessfully to cut down, experiencing strong cravings, or continuing despite harm.
Other concerns include missing responsibilities, spending substantial time obtaining opioids, or using in hazardous situations. No single behavior proves a diagnosis, but a developing pattern warrants help.
Do not abruptly stop a regularly used prescription without discussing the plan. Withdrawal and uncontrolled pain can complicate the situation.
Reduce avoidable harm
Use only the medication prescribed to you and do not combine it with alcohol or unapproved sedative combinations. Review all acetaminophen-containing products with a pharmacist so multiple medicines do not unintentionally overlap.
Pills obtained outside a licensed pharmacy may not contain what they appear to contain. Counterfeit pills can expose someone to fentanyl or other unexpected substances. CDC: Fentanyl
Keep medication secure and have naloxone available. If someone is hard to wake or breathing abnormally, call 911, give naloxone if available, and follow dispatcher instructions. Naloxone does not treat acetaminophen toxicity; disclose the full product and possible amount to responders. CDC: Responding to an overdose
Treatment can address more than withdrawal
For opioid use disorder, options include buprenorphine, methadone, and naltrexone. Ongoing medication treatment can support recovery; detoxification alone is not recommended. CDC: Treating opioid use disorder
A useful care plan also addresses pain and any co-occurring mental health concerns. Ask how clinicians will coordinate these needs so addiction treatment does not leave the original pain problem ignored.
You do not need to wait for an overdose, a lost job, or a particular duration of use to ask for help.
Start Suboxone treatment online. You can see one of our Suboxone doctors online, by video. The first visit is $89. Follow-up visits are $50 weekly, $75 every two weeks or $89 monthly. Visits are cash pay, and medication is priced separately.