Percodan Side Effects

The combination of oxycodone and aspirin in Percodan can cause a myriad of side effects in patients, even when taken as directed.  These side effects can include weakness, sleeplessness, constipation, dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting, itchy, tingling or red skin, an increase in sweat production, and even problems with your vision.  It is very important to take Percodan exactly as directed to minimize the chance of experiencing these unwanted side effects.  Changing the dosage amount in any way can be very dangerous and should not be attempted.

Combining alcohol and Percodan can create some serious complications on your respiratory system, including respiratory depression and slowed breathing.  Patients who mix Percodan with other narcotics, sleeping pills, or tranquilizers can experience intense drowsiness and dizziness.  These effects will eventually wear off, but while under these effects the patient will be extremely impaired and should not perform dangerous tasks.

Another important side effect that can happen when taking Percodan is the chance of an allergic reaction.  Allergic reactions to Percodan can be quite severe, requiring hospitalization.  The signs you are likely to see if you have an allergic reaction to Percodan include wheezing, difficulty breathing and closing of the throat, rashes and hives, as well as swelling of the mouth, lips, tongue or throat.  If you experience any of these symptoms it is extremely important that you seek immediate medical attention.

Addiction as a Side Effect

Don’t let all of this information about the side effects of Percodan scare you, this medication can be taken safely and effectively for many patients.  However, some people may experience one or more of these uncomfortable side effects, usually within a short time of ingesting the medication.  Percodan’s warning label does list the potential side effects of the medication, as well as warnings for other complications including allergic reactions, drug interactions and information on becoming dependent on the medication.

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opiate that can be habit-forming.  Both physical and psychological dependency can result from prolonged use of the medication.  Addiction usually starts because the patient begins to develop a tolerance to Percodan.  This tolerance causes the patient to need more of the medication to get the same effects from it that they did before.  In addition, when the medication is not taken as directed, by means of either misusing or overusing, it can lead to addiction or even worse, overdose.

The last side effect of Percodan may be its worst one.  Once a patient is physically addicted to the medication, and tries to stop taking it, they go through something called withdrawals.  Withdrawals are usually painful physical symptoms that the body goes through when it stops receiving a medication that it feels it needs.

Percodan withdrawal side effects can include things like increased sweating, vomiting, sleeplessness, restlessness, muscle aches and diarrhea, just to name a few.  There is a way to reduce these symptoms, and that’s by using a medical detox program.  These programs do not eliminate the symptoms of withdrawal, but can minimize the patient’s suffering, which can make it much more bearable for the patient.