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Percocet is a prescription opioid painkiller that combines two ingredients: oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid, and acetaminophen, the non-opioid pain reliever found in Tylenol.1 It is prescribed for short-term moderate to severe pain, such as pain after surgery or a serious injury.
The oxycodone in Percocet relieves pain, but it also acts on the brain’s reward system, which gives Percocet a high potential for misuse and addiction.2 The acetaminophen adds extra pain relief, and it adds a separate risk: taking too much can seriously damage the liver.3
Key Points
- Percocet combines oxycodone, an opioid, with acetaminophen, the active ingredient in Tylenol.
- It treats short-term moderate to severe pain and comes in several oxycodone strengths, each with 325 mg of acetaminophen.
- The oxycodone gives Percocet a high potential for dependence and addiction.
- Taking more acetaminophen than the daily limit, including from other products, can cause serious liver damage.
- A Percocet overdose can involve the opioid, the acetaminophen, or both, and is a medical emergency.
- Percocet addiction is treatable with detox, FDA-approved medications, therapy, and ongoing support.
In This Article:
- What is Percocet?
- Percocet vs. oxycodone, OxyContin, and Vicodin
- What are “percs”? Percocet slang and street names
- How does Percocet make you feel?
- The acetaminophen risk
- Percocet side effects
- Percocet overdose and naloxone
- How long does Percocet stay in your system?
- Percocet withdrawal
- Percocet addiction and treatment
- Percocet FAQs
What Is Percocet?
Percocet is a prescription painkiller that pairs oxycodone with acetaminophen. It is used for moderate to severe pain that is bad enough to need an opioid and is not controlled by other treatments.2
The oxycodone is the opioid part of the medication. It is semi-synthetic, meaning it is made in a lab from a compound in the opium poppy. To understand how oxycodone works across all of its products, see our main guide to oxycodone. The acetaminophen is a non-opioid pain reliever and fever reducer that adds pain control without adding more opioid.3
Percocet comes as immediate-release tablets in four oxycodone strengths, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 milligrams, each combined with 325 milligrams of acetaminophen. It is available as the brand-name product Percocet and, more commonly, as generic oxycodone and acetaminophen tablets. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration classifies it as a Schedule II controlled substance, and on the street it is usually called a “perc.”1
Percocet vs. Oxycodone, OxyContin, and Vicodin
Because Percocet contains oxycodone, people often ask how it differs from oxycodone, OxyContin, and Vicodin. The short answer is that Percocet is immediate-release oxycodone combined with acetaminophen.
Percocet and generic oxycodone share the same opioid; Percocet simply adds acetaminophen. OxyContin contains the same oxycodone in an extended-release form with no acetaminophen, so it lasts longer and is used for around-the-clock pain. Vicodin and Norco also pair acetaminophen with an opioid, but that opioid is hydrocodone, not oxycodone.
What Are “Percs”? Percocet Slang and Street Names
On the street, Percocet is most often called “percs” or a “perc.”1 When people ask what a perc does, they are usually asking about its opioid effects: pain relief, relaxation, and, at higher doses, a short-lived high.
A serious danger today is counterfeit pills. Fake tablets made to look like Percocet, sometimes stamped “M30,” are sold as “percs” but often contain fentanyl, a much stronger opioid responsible for many overdose deaths. There is no reliable way to know what is in a pill bought outside a pharmacy. You can read more about lowering this risk on our harm reduction page.
How Does Percocet Make You Feel?
At a prescribed dose, Percocet mostly relieves pain. It can also cause drowsiness, relaxation, and a sense of calm. Taken at higher doses or without a medical need, the oxycodone can produce a brief feeling of euphoria, which is a large part of why the drug is misused.2
That euphoria comes from the way oxycodone acts on opioid receptors in the brain and triggers a release of dopamine. The pleasant feeling fades quickly, and the body adapts, so a person often needs more of the drug to feel the same effect. This is how tolerance and, over time, addiction develop. The same brain effects that make Percocet feel good are what make it dangerous.
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The Acetaminophen Risk
The oxycodone in Percocet gets most of the attention, but the acetaminophen carries its own serious risk. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause severe liver damage, and in rare cases acute liver failure that leads to a transplant or death.3
4,000 mg
The maximum acetaminophen most adults should have in a day, from all sources combined.
325 mg
The acetaminophen in each Percocet tablet, paired with 2.5 to 10 mg of oxycodone.
The risk often comes from a simple mistake. A person may not realize Percocet already contains acetaminophen, then take Tylenol or a cold medicine on top of it and pass the daily limit without meaning to. The FDA caps prescription combination products at 325 milligrams of acetaminophen per tablet for this reason. The danger is higher for people who drink alcohol or who have liver disease.3
To stay safe, check the labels of every medication you take, avoid combining acetaminophen products, and do not drink alcohol while taking Percocet.3
Percocet Side Effects
Percocet can cause side effects from both of its ingredients. Most are mild, but some are serious and need medical attention. Common side effects include:
- Drowsiness, dizziness, or lightheadedness
- Constipation, nausea, or vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Itching or sweating
- Confusion or trouble concentrating
More serious effects need prompt medical care. Slowed or shallow breathing is a sign of an opioid problem, while yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or pain in the upper-right abdomen can signal liver damage from the acetaminophen.3 Long-term opioid use can also cause increased sensitivity to pain, known as hyperalgesia, where everyday touch begins to hurt.
Percocet Overdose and Naloxone
A Percocet overdose is a medical emergency, and it can come from either ingredient. The opioid can slow or stop breathing, and the acetaminophen can poison the liver. If you suspect an overdose, call 911 right away.4
Signs of an opioid overdose include slow or stopped breathing, pinpoint pupils, a person who cannot be woken, a limp body, and blue or gray lips, fingertips, or skin. Acetaminophen poisoning can be harder to spot, because the early signs may be only nausea and vomiting, with liver damage developing over the next one to three days.
While waiting for help, give naloxone (sold as Narcan) if it is available. Naloxone can reverse the opioid part of the overdose, but it does not treat acetaminophen poisoning, so emergency care is still essential. Opioids are involved in most U.S. overdose deaths, and prescription opioids like the oxycodone in Percocet still carry real risk, especially when misused or combined with alcohol or other depressants.5 Learn more on our harm reduction page and our drug statistics page.
How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System?
Because Percocet is immediate-release, the oxycodone in it acts quickly and clears faster than extended-release forms like OxyContin. As a general guide, oxycodone is detectable in urine for about one to three days, in saliva for one to two days, in blood for a few hours, and in hair for up to about 90 days. Detection times vary with dose, frequency of use, and individual factors such as metabolism and liver and kidney health.
Percocet Withdrawal
After the body becomes dependent on the oxycodone in Percocet, stopping or cutting back can bring on withdrawal. The symptoms are rarely life-threatening on their own, but they are very uncomfortable and are a common reason people return to use.2
Common symptoms include muscle aches, abdominal cramps, nausea, diarrhea, sweating, chills, a runny nose, watery eyes, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and strong cravings. They usually begin within 8 to 24 hours of the last dose, peak around one to three days, and ease over about a week.
For the full timeline and how medical detox helps, see our guide to opioid withdrawal.
Percocet Addiction and Treatment
Percocet addiction is a treatable medical condition, not a failure of willpower. Because it involves an opioid, treatment uses the same evidence-based approaches as other forms of opioid use disorder: medical detox, FDA-approved medications, therapy, and ongoing support.6
Signs of Percocet addiction
Signs that Percocet use has become a problem include:
- Taking more than prescribed, or continuing to use it after the original pain is gone
- Cravings, and spending a lot of time getting or using the drug
- Needing higher doses for the same effect, or feeling withdrawal between doses
- Continuing to use despite harm to health, relationships, or work
Treatment options
Treatment for Percocet addiction works best when it is matched to the person rather than applied as a single formula. The right combination depends on how severe the addiction is, how long someone has used Percocet, and whether other physical or mental health conditions are present.6 These approaches are often combined, and a care team can adjust them as recovery progresses.
Detox
Detox is often the starting point in the recovery process.
A detox center is a safe place to withdraw from Percocet where they can monitor your health for any complications and give you medications to be more comfortable and decrease the risk of complications.
Inpatient Treatment
Inpatient rehab is often recommended at the beginning stage of recovery from opioid addiction.
This type of treatment requires you to temporarily live in a rehab facility for a few weeks or months. You’ll have support around the clock and a thorough treatment plan for your mental, emotional, and physical healing.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is very similar to inpatient in that it provides medical care as well as therapeutic intervention. But in outpatient programs you live at home and come to the treatment center for treatment, usually a few times a week.
Medication Assisted Treatment
Medication assisted treatment (MAT) is a common treatment option for opioid addiction like Percocet addiction. In this type of program you’ll get medications like methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone.
These medications can relieve withdrawal symptoms, prevent drug cravings, and reduce the risk of overdose and relapse. You’ll still have therapy too to address the mental and emotional aspects of addiction while the medications help with your physical addiction.
Aftercare
Aftercare plans are an important part of recovery. Relapse can happen at any time so your recovery team will work with you to create an aftercare plan that reduces your risk of a relapse.
This plan may include ongoing therapy appointments and support groups or 12 step meetings like Narcotics Anonymous. It can include ongoing MAT and you might have regular check ins with your treatment provider.
As you build an aftercare plan, it may also help to review different programs and providers in your area. You can learn more about rehab options and compare treatment centers based on location, services, and support offered.
If you or someone you know has an opioid use disorder, reach out to your doctor and find treatment options available to you.
Percocet FAQs
Is Percocet the same as oxycodone?
Not exactly. Percocet contains oxycodone, but it also contains acetaminophen. So Percocet includes oxycodone but is not identical to the generic drug. You can read more in our guide to oxycodone.
Is Percocet stronger than Vicodin?
They contain different opioids. Percocet uses oxycodone, while Vicodin uses hydrocodone, and both add acetaminophen. Milligram for milligram, oxycodone is generally considered somewhat more potent, but the right choice depends on the person and the situation.
Is Percocet an opioid or a narcotic?
The oxycodone in Percocet is a semi-synthetic opioid, and “narcotic” is a legal and everyday term for the same class of drugs.1 The acetaminophen in Percocet is not an opioid.
Can you drink alcohol while taking Percocet?
No. Alcohol and the opioid in Percocet both slow breathing, and combining them raises the risk of a fatal overdose. Alcohol also increases the chance of liver damage from the acetaminophen.3
Is Percocet addictive?
Yes. The oxycodone in Percocet carries a high potential for dependence and addiction, even when the medication is taken as prescribed.2 If Percocet use has become hard to control, the treatment options above can help.
What is Percocet Used For?
Percocet is used as a pain reliever for patients who have moderate to severe pain. It might be used after a surgery for example or if you have a painful condition. As an opioid it’s sometimes misused as a recreational drug though.
What Does Percocet Do?
This drug is part opioid. This means that it will bind to an opioid receptor in your brain which interrupts the pain signals in your brain. That process blocks feelings of pain but when it’s misused it can create a relaxed and euphoric feeling too.
How Long does Percocet Stay In Your System?
The pain relief of Percocet typically lasts for around four to six hours. When you have a prescription this is usually how long you’re instructed to have between doses. It takes about 19 hours for the drug to fully leave your system
Will Percocet Show Up On a Drug Test?
Yes, this drug may show up on a drug test because it contains oxycodone. Percocet can show up on a variety of tests including urine, blood, saliva and hair tests.
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References
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration. Oxycodone Drug Fact Sheet. DEA; 2025. https://www.dea.gov/sites/default/files/2025-01/Oxycodone-Drug-Fact-Sheet_0.pdf. Accessed June 2026.
- MedlinePlus. Oxycodone. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2026. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682132.html. Accessed June 2026.
- MedlinePlus. Acetaminophen. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2025. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a681004.html. Accessed June 2026.
- MedlinePlus. Hydrocodone and Oxycodone Overdose. U.S. National Library of Medicine; 2024. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007285.htm. Accessed June 2026.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About Overdose Prevention. CDC; 2026. https://www.cdc.gov/overdose-prevention/about/index.html. Accessed June 2026.
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Treatment Options for Substance Use Disorder. SAMHSA; 2025. https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/treatment/options. Accessed June 2026.
