How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System?
What Is Percocet? Percocet is a brand-name version of the combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen often prescribed to treat pain. Oxycodone is an opioid that can relieve pain, while acetaminophen is an analgesic that can relieve pain and reduce fevers. Generic Names and Other Brand Names The generic name for Percocet is oxycodone-acetaminophen. Percocet is just one of the several brand names for oxycodone-acetaminophen. Some common brand names include: Endocet Narvox Roxicet Roxilox Common Street Names Percocet, along with its generic and other brand names, is also referred to by the common street names of: Percs Roxy Hillbilly Heroin O.C. Oxycet Oxycontin Oxy Percocet vs. Norco Both Percocet and Norco are opioid medications used to relieve pain. Doctors often prescribe these medications when over-the-counter or non-opioid pain medications are not working to relieve the pain. Both Percocet and Norco are Schedule II semi-synthetic drugs, meaning they have a high potential for abuse and physical and psychological dependence. There are just a few differences between Percocet and Norco. The first major difference is what they are made of—Percocet is a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, while Norco is a combination of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. Furthermore, Percocet is more likely to cause constipation, while Norco is more likely to cause tiredness. Signs and Symptoms of Percocet Addiction Prescription opioids remain a commonly administered drug type, reaching 142 million prescriptions in 2020. While this number has decreased compared to previous years, opioids’ highly addictive quality leaves plenty of concern for addiction and dependence. In fact, approximately 2.7 million people aged twelve and older in the United States have a prescription opioid use disorder. The potential for Percocet addiction can increase based on how long and how often the medication is taken. Physical Signs The physical signs and symptoms of Percocet addiction can include: Exhibiting symptoms of withdrawal when not taking the medication Decreased heart rate Slowed speech Weight loss Fatigue Problems with balance Constipation Shallow breathing Behavioral Signs Common behavioral signs that may be exhibited with Percocet addiction include: Attempting to borrow or steal Percocet Consistently borrowing or stealing money Social withdrawal or isolation Taking more significant amounts of Percocet over longer periods of time Continuing to use Percocet despite its negative consequences Psychological Signs Psychological signs and symptoms of Percocet addiction can include: Mood swings Anger or aggression Irritability Difficulty concentrating Poor memory Depression Runny nose and watery eyes Increased anxiety and restlessness Irritability or mood swings Increased pain Chills or sweats Nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea Muscle cramps or joint aches Headache Tremors or shaking Rapid heart rate Blood pressure changes Difficulty sleeping Thoughts of suicide Long-term alcohol abuse can damage the musculoskeletal system leading to a higher likelihood of fractures, osteoporosis, and chronic joint pain. Factors That Determine How Long Percocet Stays in Your System Determining how long Percocet will last in your system is typically based on half-life. However, there are many factors that may determine the length of time Percocet stays in the body. These determining factors may be: Type of Drug and the Drug’s Half-Life Different opioids have different half-lives, meaning medications can be detected at varying times depending on how quickly it can be metabolized in the body. For example, some opioids are long-acting, and some are short-acting. Percocet is a long-acting opioid with an average half-life of three and a half hours. This means it may take an average, healthy individual nineteen to twenty-four hours for it to be eliminated from the system. Method of Use How long Percocet stays in your system can also be determined by the method of use. Using the drug intravenously can be metabolized faster than taking it orally; however, this method can result in a higher risk of overdose or contracting a disease. Amount of Drug The higher the Percocet dose, the longer the time for it to exit the system. Body Mass Typically, the larger the body mass, the longer it will take for the Percocet to be eliminated from the body. Metabolic Rate Similarly to body mass, metabolic rate can determine how slowly or quickly the Percocet stays in your system. A quicker metabolism usually means the drug will be processed out of the body more quickly. Kidney or Liver Function People with impaired liver or kidney functioning may take longer to metabolize opioids. Percocet Side Effects Using Percocet can have many different physical and psychological side effects. These will be detailed below. Short-Term Percocet Side Effects Common short-term Percocet side effects may include: Nausea or vomiting Dizziness Constipation Low blood pressure Loss of appetite Shallow breathing Drowsiness Long-Term Percocet Side Effects Although Percocet was originally intended for short-term use, there are cases where some doctors continue prescribing this medication for longer periods or people continue to take Percocet without a written prescription (e.g., obtaining the drug illegally, using someone else’s prescription). Long-term side effects of prolonged Percocet use can include: Kidney failure Liver damage Severe constipation Physical and psychological dependence Tolerance Urinary retention Effects of Percocet Overdose The risk of overdose from Percocet can come from both oxycodone and acetaminophen. People currently prescribed Percocet should avoid taking other medications with acetaminophen without their doctor’s approval. Those who feel Percocet is no longer providing pain relief should not increase their dose without discussing it with their medical provider. Aside from the risk of addiction, overdose is another severe and life-threatening side effect of opioids. Overdosing on Percocet can cause irreversible damage to the liver and even death. In 2020, overdose deaths caused by synthetic opioids like Percocet reached 56,516. Additional Indications of Percocet Overdose Some other symptoms of Percocet overdose to look out for are: Blue color of skin, fingernails, or lips Difficulty breathing Dizziness Excessive sleepiness Fainting Cold, clammy skin Slowed or stopped breathing Loss of consciousness Limp or weak muscles If you experience any of these symptoms, contact emergency services immediately before symptoms progress. Symptoms of Percocet Withdrawal Regardless of whether a person has developed a Percocet addiction or is taking Percocet as prescribed, suddenly