Percocet:The Most Important Short and Long-Term Effects

Percocet is an opioid painkiller, and it is very often prescribed to those dealing with extreme acute pain. Not only does the acetaminophen in the drug help to dull the pain, but the oxycodone binds to receptors in the brain and body and blocks pain messages. Many people report that Percocet and other opioids are largely ineffective when it comes to reducing pain but that the drugs decrease their displeasure related to the experience of that pain.

Signs of acute Percocet use include:

• Small or “pinned” pupils
• Slow or shallow breathing
• Inability to follow a conversation
• Appearance of fatigue or sleepiness
• Varying levels of confusion

A number of medical and health issues can occur as a direct result of use of Percocet. Depending on the dose, method of ingestion, other substances of abuse in the system, and other underlying health issues, the severity, and type of health problems can vary significantly. Common problems include:

• Respiratory failure. Oxycodone slows breathing and heart rate. Respiratory depression can result when Percocet is mixed with alcohol and can be fatal if not identified and treated in time.
• Overdose death. Overdose deaths caused by Percocet can occur when too much of the drug is taken, when its use is combined with alcohol, or when the pills sold on the street as Percocet actually contain another drug like fentanyl, a far more potent synthetic opioid. Every couple months, an area will report a spate of overdose deaths caused by fake Percocet pills sold on the street.
• Acetaminophen poisoning. It is not just the risks of oxycodone overdose that come with regular abuse of Percocet, but the risk of acetaminophen overdose as well. Liver damage can occur, and in extreme cases, such as when Percocet is crushed and snorted, acetaminophen overdose can cause liver failure and death.
• Soft tissue loss. When Percocet is injected, it can result in severe loss of soft tissue. This can lead to months spent in the hospital undergoing surgical procedures that can include autografts, xenografts, placement of dermal replacement templates, and more.
• Nasopharyngeal necrosis. The atrophy and degradation of the cartilage in the nose can result when Percocet is crushed and snorted. Though the problem is usually attributed to heavy cocaine use, it can also occur with Percocet abuse.

For some, Percocet abuse begins when there are untreated mental health issues, such as depression. Using opioids like Percocet may initially provide immediate relief from mental health symptoms, so some people who abuse the drug do to self-medicate symptoms rather than seek treatment. However, the drugs are not approved for use for this purpose, and no doctor will prescribe a painkiller to address mental health issues, putting those who use it for this purpose at extreme risk.

Signs of long-term abuse of Percocet and Percocet addiction include:

• Increasing isolation or spending less time with people who do not actively use drugs
• Altered personality and behavior
• Loss of interest in old hobbies and favorites
• Theft of medications in the home, cash, or valuables
• Lies about drug use and abuse

Long-term abuse of any opioid can lead to a variety of health issues, such as:

• Extreme dental decay. Taking Percocet tablets regularly may lead to extreme dental decay. According to studies, these dental issues are irreversible and can be especially devastating for young people who abuse the drug.
• Infertility. Male factor infertility is estimated to be the cause of about a third of all cases of infertility. In many of these cases, use and abuse of opioid drugs like Percocet over a long period is the cause.
• Substance use disorder. In some studies, it has been demonstrated that only 4 percent of people living with a Percocet addiction sought out extended-release versions of the drugs, opting instead for the immediate-release versions. However, long-term users of both immediate-release and extended-release versions of Percocet have been shown to be equally at risk for the development of an opioid use disorder.
• Overdose death. The risk of death due to drug overdose persists as long as Percocet abuse continues. Even when using the “normal” dose, seasoned users of the drug may inadvertently overwhelm their systems due to constantly fluctuating tolerance levels. Additionally, when purchased on the street or from a non-pharmaceutical source, the risk that the Percocet pills are fake and made with fentanyl or other deadly synthetic opiate drugs continues to be present.

Some studies suggest that the experience of chronic pain very frequently co-occurs with a diagnosis of mental health disorders, such as depression and anxiety. Though this population may be prescribed painkillers like Percocet by a physician, if mental health treatment experts do not also treat the co-occurring mental health disorder, there is a high risk of abuse of the drug.
Physical dependence can occur in anyone who uses Percocet regularly without any of the negative effects of addiction. Those who also exhibit a psychological dependence — such as those who use the drug as much to manage mental health issues as to manage pain — are at a much higher risk of addiction.