Percodan

What is Percodan

Oxycodone (related to codeine) is in a class of drugs called narcotic analgesics. It relieves pain.

Aspirin is a less potent pain reliever, as well as an anti-inflammatory and a fever reducer. Aspirin increases the effects of oxycodone.

The combination, aspirin and oxycodone, is used to treat moderate-to-severe pain.

Percodan may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Percodan

Do not stop taking Percodan suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you very uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.

Avoid alcohol while taking Percodan. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness caused by Percodan and could be dangerous. Also, alcohol increases the risk of stomach bleeding when you are taking a medication that contains aspirin.

Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medicines also may cause dangerous sedation.

Oxycodone may also cause constipation. Drink plenty of water (six to eight full glasses a day) to lessen this side effect. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can also help to alleviate constipation.

Never take more Percodan than is prescribed for you. If your pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

Avoid other over-the-counter and prescription products that contain aspirin. Too much aspirin could be dangerous. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any over-the-counter preparations.

Who should not take Percodan

Oxycodone is habit forming and should be used only under close supervision if you have an alcohol or drug addiction.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
- drink more than three alcoholic drinks per day;
- have kidney disease;
- have liver disease;
- have asthma;
- have urinary retention;
- have an enlarged prostate;
- have hypothyroidism;
- have a stomach ulcer;
- have a coagulation (bleeding) disorder;
- have congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, or another heart disease;
- have fluid retention;
- have seizures or epilepsy;
- have gallbladder disease;
- have a head injury; or
- have Addison's disease.

You may not be able to take Percodan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Oxycodone may cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms as well as other harmful effects in an unborn baby. Do not take Percodan without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

Oxycodone may also cause addiction and withdrawal symptoms in a nursing baby. Do not take Percodan without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are older than 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Percodan therapy. Use extra caution.

This drug has not been approved for use by children. Also, do not use any drug that contains aspirin to treat a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox without first talking to a doctor. In children younger than 18 years of age, aspirin may increase the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but often fatal condition.

How should take Percodan

Take Percodan exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take Percodan with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

Never take more of this medication than is prescribed for you. Too much Percodan could be very harmful.

Do not stop taking Percodan suddenly if you have been taking it continuously for more than 5 to 7 days. Stopping suddenly could cause withdrawal symptoms and make you feel uncomfortable. Your doctor may want to gradually reduce your dose.

Increase the amount of fiber and water (six to eight full glasses) in your diet to prevent constipation.

Do not share this medication with anyone else.

Do not take this drug if it begins to smell strongly of vinegar. This smell means that the aspirin is beginning to break down.

Store Percodan at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Wait the prescribed amount of time before taking your next dose.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an Percodan overdose include slow breathing, seizures, dizziness, weakness, loss of consciousness, coma, confusion, tiredness, cold and clammy skin, small pupils, ringing in your ears, nausea, vomiting, and sweating.

Avoid while taking Percodan

Also avoid sleeping pills, tranquilizers, sedatives, and antihistamines except under the supervision of your doctor. These medicines also may cause dangerous sedation.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Oxycodone may cause drowsiness. If you experience drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Possible side effects of Percodan

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Percodan and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- slow, weak breathing;
- seizures;
- cold, clammy skin;
- severe weakness or dizziness;
- unconsciousness;
- yellowing of the skin or eyes;
- unusual fatigue;
- bleeding or bruising; or
- black, bloody, or tarry stools or blood in the urine or vomit.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take oxycodone and talk to your doctor if you experience
- constipation;
- dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, or decreased appetite;
- dizziness, tiredness, or lightheadedness;
- muscle twitches;
- sweating;
- itching;
- decreased urination;
- decreased sex drive; or
- ringing in the ears.

Percodan is habit forming. Do not stop taking it suddenly.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Percodan

Do not take Percodan if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. Dangerous side effects could result.

Oxycodone may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Before taking Percodan, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- an oral anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin);
- a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), and others;
- other salicylates (forms of aspirin) such as choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan's, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal) and salsalate (Disalcid);
- a steroid such as prednisone (Deltasone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Prelone, Pediapred, others), and others;
- probenecid (Benemid);
- sulfinpyrazone (Anturane);
- an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), and others;
- a beta-blocker such as acebutolol (Sectral), propranolol (Inderal), atenolol (Tenormin), metoprolol (Lopressor), and others;
- an oral diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol) or glyburide (Micronase, Diabeta);
- lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); or
- cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral).

You may not be able to take Percodan, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Percodan. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.