How to Use Percocet for Pain Management

Percocet is a frequent choice of doctors and patients when there is a need for a potent solution to pain. A combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone, percocet is an analgesic that is used in the management of pain ranging from moderate to severe. Read on to learn how to use percocet for pain management.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Bring your doctor up to speed on your medical history before beginning treatment with percocet for pain management. Your ingestion of the drug needs to be carefully monitored if you suffer from certain conditions, such as kidney disease, liver disease, epilepsy or an enlarged prostate.

2. Take care if you are a percocet user who is younger that 18 and older than 60. If you fall within these age groups, you are likely to suffer more severe side effects than others who use the drug.

3. Know how to correctly measure your dosage if taking the liquid form of percocet. Do not use a tbsp. Instead, measure your dosage with the help of a dose-measuring spoon or cup, available from your pharmacist.

4. Drink lots of water when taking percocet for pain management. To avoid the constipation that can be a side effect of the drug, consume six to eight glasses of water each day.

5. Up your intake of fiber. Again, this is useful to counteract percocet's binding effect.

6. Know how to handle a missed dose. In these cases, simply take the dose as soon as you become aware of your oversight. Do not double up on your doses to try and remedy the situation.

7. Wean yourself from percocet gradually. Quitting cold turkey could cause withdrawal symptoms.

Tips & Warnings

• Be aware of the minor side effects of percocet. These include dizziness, decreased urination, nausea, dry mouth and vomiting.
• Store your percocet properly. It should be kept away from direct sunlight, moisture and heat.
• If you are a pregnant or nursing woman, speak with your doctor before beginning use of percocet for pain management. The impact of percocet on unborn babies and breast milk is uncertain.
• Eschew alcohol if you are taking percocet for pain management. The acetaminophen present in percocet can result in liver toxicity when combined with alcohol, even when alcohol is ingested in relatively small amounts.
• Percocet and sedatives, like sleeping pills and tranquilizers, do not mix. Percocet can serve to exaggerate the sedative effects of these drugs in a way that's potentially dangerous and problematic.
• Consider the potentially serious side effects suffered by some users of percocet. These include labored breathing, closing of the throat, yellowing of the eyes or skin, fatigue and unusual bleeding.

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