Percocet and Alcohol: Risks and Dangers
Carefully follow the instructions and take the medicine mixture right away. Dispose of the empty capsule shells right away by flushing them down a toilet. Do not stop taking Percocet suddenly without medical guidance, as this can be dangerous.
Common questions about oxycodone – Brand names: Oxycontin, Oxypro, Longtec, Reltebon, Zomestine
Make sure you store the medicine in a safe and secure place to prevent others from getting it. The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and drug overdose definition, risks, signs, and more the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine. The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine.
- Combining alcohol and Percocet can cause irreversible liver damage if consumed excessively or over a long period of time.
- Alcohol works through the central nervous system and depresses or slows functioning of various parts of the brain.
- Half-life is a measure of how long it takes for a substance in the body to decrease by half.
- Because of this, mixing the two can lead to potentially dangerous and even fatal complications, including loss of consciousness, stopped breathing, and heart failure.
- The United States saw 43 opioid prescriptions for every 100 people in 2020.
What to know about alcohol and opioid use
Drinking alcohol while taking Percocet also increases the risk of overdose and increases the risk of liver damage. Yes, the greater amount of alcohol consumed increases the risk for alcohol and medication interactions. In some cases, any amount of alcohol can result in a serious interaction. Whether you or a loved one is struggling with opioid or alcohol misuse—or both concurrently—American Addiction Centers can help. With facilities scattered across the country, AAC offers all of the treatment types and levels of care listed above and provides effective rehab solutions for those with a host of substance misuses issues.
Other uses for this medicine
Using narcotics for a long time can cause severe constipation. To prevent this, your doctor may direct you to take laxatives, drink a lot of fluids, or increase the amount of fiber in your diet. Be sure to follow the directions carefully, because continuing constipation can lead to more serious problems. If you feel that the medicine is not working as well, do not use more than your prescribed dose. This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing or swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
Do Not Mix Alcohol and Opioids
Depending on the type of opioid, they can control pain for up to 12 hours, as they are a time-release drug. Rather than releasing all at the same time, the medication’s effects continue to release over an extended period. This article looks at how opioids affect the body, how alcohol affects the body, the lethal potential of combining the two, and other harmful side butalbital acetaminophen caffeine oral effects of mixing alcohol and opioids. Oxycodone is an opioid, a chemical substance that pharmaceutical companies use to manufacture a variety of medications for pain relief and anesthesia. Oxycodone is the primary ingredient in the medications OxyContin, Percocet, and Roxicodone. In the United States, it is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance.
This slow-acting medication is released into the bloodstream over time, helping treat several types of moderate to severe pain. Some may mix the substances because they don’t believe the consequences will affect them, they don’t see the harm in it, or to achieve a unique high. However, because of the way alcohol and oxycodone interact, even small amounts could cause dangerous side effects.
It may include counseling, medication, and regular visits to a support group or treatment facility. A person can decide on a treatment plan with a health care professional or specialist in addiction and recovery. This may include counseling, medication for the treatment of addiction, and regular visits to a treatment facility or support groups. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, combining oxycodone with alcohol can lead to respiratory depression (slowed breathing or cessation of breathing).
Depending on your individual situation, your treatment plan could be either outpatient or inpatient. You stay at your home during outpatient treatment while you stay at a rehabilitation facility during inpatient treatment. Your healthcare provider will work with you to discuss your options, the pros and cons of each, and how much they may cost. Approximately 88,000 people die from alcohol-related causes each year, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA).
This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to know the difference between ethanol and alcohol do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. For more details, read the Medication Guide, or consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company. When this medication is used for a long time, it may not work as well.