Overview: Oxycodone/acetaminophen is a combination medicine used to help treat severe pain. Oxycodone is an opioid that binds to specific receptors in your body to give you pain relief, while acetaminophen may block pain signals. Common side effects may include constipation, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and vomiting, headache, and stomach pain. Oxycodone/acetaminophen comes as a tablet and solution that you take by mouth.
Uses
What is oxycodone/acetaminophen used for?
Oxycodone/acetaminophen is a combination medicine that is commonly used to treat severe pain.
Oxycodone/acetaminophen may also be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
How does oxycodone/acetaminophen work (mechanism of action)?
Oxycodone/acetaminophen works to change how your body feels and responds to pain. Acetaminophen may work by blocking pain signals. Oxycodone works by binding to and activating specific receptors in your body, causing pain relief.
How is oxycodone/acetaminophen supplied (dosage forms)?
Brands and other names
- Oxycet
- Percocet
- Roxicet
- Tylox
Dosage forms and strengths
- 2.5 mg/325 mg, 5 mg/325 mg, 7.5 mg/325 mg, 10 mg/325 mg oral tablets
- 5 mg/325 mg per 5 mL oral solution
How should I store oxycodone/acetaminophen?
Oxycodone/acetaminophen should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place.
Side Effects
What are the most common side effects of oxycodone/acetaminophen?
The most common side effects of oxycodone/acetaminophen are listed below. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.
- Constipation (see below)
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Headache
- Stomach pain
There may be other side effects of oxycodone/acetaminophen that are not listed here. Contact your healthcare provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.
What are the serious side effects of oxycodone/acetaminophen?
While less common, the most serious side effects of oxycodone/acetaminophen are described below, along with what to do if they happen.
Severe Allergic Reactions. Oxycodone/acetaminophen may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking oxycodone/acetaminophen and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.
- Breathing problems or wheezing
- Racing heart
- Fever or general ill feeling
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
- Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Stomach cramps
- Joint pain
Risk of Misuse and Addiction. Misusing oxycodone/acetaminophen can lead to serious side effects like coma or death. Misuse means taking a medicine in a way other than how it was prescribed. Take oxycodone/acetaminophen exactly as prescribed. Tell your healthcare provider if you feel that oxycodone/acetaminophen is not working. Call your healthcare provider right away or go to the nearest emergency room if you have any of the following serious symptoms.
- Sudden confusion or feeling disoriented
- Feeling paranoid
- Suicidal thoughts or actions
- Seizures
- Trouble breathing
Breathing Problems. Oxycodone/acetaminophen may cause slow or shallow breathing, especially if you have breathing problems from another condition or take other medicines that can slow your breathing. Tell your healthcare provider if you develop severe sleepiness or trouble breathing, especially when you start oxycodone/acetaminophen or when your dose is increased. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Changes in the color of your skin, including bluish color to your lips and fingernails
- Confusion
- Shortness of breath
- Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting
- Changes in your heart rate or rhythm, such as a fast, slow, pounding or skipping heartbeat
- Slow or shallow breathing
- Excessive sleepiness or trouble staying awake
Liver Damage. Liver damage, also called hepatotoxicity, can happen when taking oxycodone/acetaminophen. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of liver damage.
- Nausea or vomiting
- Stomach or belly pain
- Fever
- Weakness or unusual tiredness
- Itching
- Loss of appetite
- Light-colored poop
- Dark-colored urine (pee)
- Your skin or the whites of your eyes turning yellowish in color (also called jaundice)
Increase in Pain Sensitivity. Oxycodone/acetaminophen tablets can cause hyperalgesia and allodynia. Hyperalgesia is when your body becomes more sensitive to pain and can cause things that normally cause pain to feel more painful than usual. Allodynia is a condition where things that do not usually cause you pain, cause you pain, such as wearing glasses or brushing your hair. Call your healthcare provider if you are having more pain, pain from things that would normally not cause you pain, or pain in other parts of your body. If your pain increases, do not take extra doses of oxycodone/acetaminophen.
Reduced Adrenal Function. Long-term use of oxycodone/acetaminophen can cause your body’s adrenal glands to stop making as much cortisol (the stress hormone). This is known as adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency can get worse if your body is under stress because of fever, surgery, or trauma. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following symptoms of adrenal insufficiency.
- Nausea and vomiting
- Weakness, tiredness, or lack of energy
- Low blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Dizziness
Low Blood Pressure (Hypotension). Oxycodone/acetaminophen may cause low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, lie down. Tell your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of low blood pressure.
- Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
- Confusion
- Feeling weak or tired
Severe Skin Reactions. Oxycodone/acetaminophen can cause severe skin reactions, called Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS), Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN), and acute generalized exanthematous pustulosis (AGEP) that can lead to death if not treated. If you develop a rash, stop oxycodone/acetaminophen and call your healthcare provider right away. Get emergency help if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Painful red or purple skin that looks burned and peels off
- Flat red rash or blisters on your skin, mouth, nose, and genitals
- Red, painful, watery eyes
- Pus-filled bumps
Constipation. Some people taking oxycodone/acetaminophen have had severe constipation. Some needed to go to the hospital. Stop taking oxycodone/acetaminophen and get help right away if you have severe constipation.
Sphincter of Oddi Spasm. The sphincter of Oddi is a muscular valve in your body that controls the flow of bile and digestive juices from the pancreas into the small intestine. When this valve spasms, it may feel like getting a tight muscle cramp, causing pain and blocking the flow of these juices, which can lead to discomfort and digestive problems. This is more likely to happen if you do not have a gallbladder. Stop taking oxycodone/acetaminophen and get emergency help if you have new or worse stomach pain or pain in the upper right side of your stomach-area that travels to your back or shoulder, with or without nausea and vomiting.
Warnings & Precautions
Who should not use oxycodone/acetaminophen?
Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take oxycodone/acetaminophen.
- Oxycodone
- Acetaminophen
- Percocet
- Oxycet
- Roxicet
- Tylox
- Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed
Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific oxycodone/acetaminophen products they stock.
Lung Problems. Oxycodone/acetaminophen should not be used if you have trouble breathing, severe asthma, or other lung problems. Oxycodone/acetaminophen can make these conditions worse.
Gut Blockage or Slowed Gut Movement. Oxycodone/acetaminophen should not be used if you have a blockage in your gut (bowel obstruction) or have narrowing in your stomach or your intestines. Oxycodone/acetaminophen should not be used if you have a condition called paralytic ileus, where your intestines are unable to move food through them. Oxycodone/acetaminophen can make these conditions worse.
What should I know about oxycodone/acetaminophen before using it?
Do not take oxycodone/acetaminophen unless it has been prescribed to you by a healthcare provider. Take it as prescribed.
Do not share oxycodone/acetaminophen with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.
Keep oxycodone/acetaminophen out of the reach of children. Oxycodone/acetaminophen is a controlled substance because it can be misused or lead to dependence. Store oxycodone/acetaminophen in a safe place to protect it from theft. It is illegal to sell or give away this medicine.
Oxycodone/acetaminophen can affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how oxycodone/acetaminophen affects you.
People who are 65 and older can be at greater risk for some side effects from oxycodone/acetaminophen. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks if you are in this age group.
Your healthcare provider may ask you to keep a medicine called naloxone on hand. Naloxone is a medicine that can be used as an emergency treatment for an opioid overdose and works by reversing the effects of oxycodone. Make sure you or your caregiver know when and how to use naloxone. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Taking oxycodone/acetaminophen for a longer period of time can affect your ability to get pregnant or get your partner pregnant. Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more.
Use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose of oxycodone/acetaminophen liquid. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.
Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking other medicines that contain acetaminophen while taking oxycodone/acetaminophen. Acetaminophen can be found in Tylenol, some cough and cold medicines, and some sleep medicines. Do not take more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen per day from all sources. Your healthcare provider may tell you to take less. Taking too much acetaminophen can cause serious liver problems. If you take too much acetaminophen, get emergency help right away, even if you do not feel sick.
Throw away any unused or expired oxycodone/acetaminophen by taking the medicine to a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) collection site or a medicine take-back program. You can also flush oxycodone/acetaminophen down the toilet. You can find out more on how to properly throw away your medicines at www.fda.gov/drugdisposal.
If you have been taking oxycodone/acetaminophen on a regular basis, do not stop taking the medicine without talking to your healthcare provider. Stopping too quickly may cause serious side effects. Call your healthcare provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.
- Irritability
- High or low energy or low mood
- Feeling restless
- Changes in sleep habits
- Headache
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Electric-shock like feelings
- Confusion
What should I tell my healthcare provider before using oxycodone/acetaminophen?
Tell your healthcare provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if oxycodone/acetaminophen is right for you.
In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.
Alcohol Use Disorder or Substance Use Disorder. Talk to your healthcare provider if you use or used to use street drugs or have or had a problem using alcohol or prescription medicines or live with someone with this problem.
Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any of the following.
- Mental health problems
- Head injury or brain problems such as brain tumor or high pressure in your skull
- Seizures
- Liver, kidney, or thyroid problems
- Problems peeing
- Pancreas or gallbladder problems
- Breathing problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Other Medicines and Supplements. Oxycodone/acetaminophen may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking oxycodone/acetaminophen, tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.
Pregnancy. Oxycodone/acetaminophen may cause harm to an unborn baby. Tell your healthcare provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take oxycodone/acetaminophen while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant. If you take oxycodone/acetaminophen on a regular basis during pregnancy, your baby may have opioid withdrawal symptoms that can be life-threatening. Tell your healthcare provider if you took oxycodone/acetaminophen during your pregnancy, especially near the end of your pregnancy.
Breastfeeding. Oxycodone/acetaminophen passes into breast milk. Tell your healthcare provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your healthcare provider will advise you if you should take oxycodone/acetaminophen while breastfeeding. Tell your healthcare provider right away if your baby is more sleepy than usual and get emergency help if your baby is having trouble breathing or is limp.
Interactions
Does oxycodone/acetaminophen interact with foods or drinks?
There are no known interactions between oxycodone/acetaminophen and foods or non-alcoholic drinks.
Do not drink alcohol or use prescription or over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol while taking oxycodone/acetaminophen. Drinking alcohol while taking oxycodone/acetaminophen can increase your risk of overdose and death.
Does oxycodone/acetaminophen interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?
Always tell your healthcare provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.
In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking oxycodone/acetaminophen.
- A macrolide antibiotic, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
- Ketoconazole, itraconazole (Sporanox, Tolsura), posaconazole (Noxafil), fluconazole (Diflucan), or voriconazole (Vfend), which is a medicine used for fungal infections
- A protease inhibitor, such as ritonavir (Norvir), atazanavir (Reyataz), or nelfinavir (Viracept), which is a medicine commonly used to treat HIV
- Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
- Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others) or phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek, and others),which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures
- A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures
- A muscle relaxant, such as carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine, metaxalone, or tizanidine (Zanaflex)
- An antipsychotic, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
- An opioid, such as oxycodone, morphine, codeine, tramadol, or fentanyl, which is a medicine used for certain types of pain
- A selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, or sertraline, or a serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI), such as duloxetine or venlafaxine, which is a medicine commonly used for anxiety and depression
- A tricyclic antidepressant, such as amitriptyline, nortriptyline, or protriptyline, even if it is not used for depression
- A triptan, such as sumatriptan (Imitrex and others), eletriptan (Relpax), and others, which is a medicine commonly used to treat migraines
- A monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) within the past two weeks, which is a medicine usually used for depression or Parkinson’s disease
- Linezolid, which is a medicine used to treat certain bacterial infections
- A mixed agonist/antagonist or partial agonist opioid analgesic, such as buprenorphine (Butrans, Sublocade), butorphanol, nalbuphine, pentazocine, and others, which is a medicine used to treat certain types of pain or opioid use disorder
- A diuretic, also called a water pill, which is a medicine used to reduce edema (fluid retention) and blood pressure
- An anticholinergic medicine, which includes antihistamines and medicines commonly used for overactive bladder, Parkinson’s disease, or stomach problems
- Propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
- Lamotrigine (Lamictal), which is a medicine that is used to treat seizures and bipolar disorder
- Zidovudine (Retrovir), which is a medicine used to treat HIV
- Any other medicine that causes dizziness and sleepiness, such as prescription pain medicines, sleep medicines, or medicines for anxiety
Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of oxycodone/acetaminophen. Tell your healthcare provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.
This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with oxycodone/acetaminophen. Always check with your healthcare provider.
Overdose/Missed Dose
What should I do if I accidentally use too much oxycodone/acetaminophen?
If you or someone else has used too much oxycodone/acetaminophen, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.
What should I do if I miss a dose of oxycodone/acetaminophen?
If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at your usual scheduled time. Do not take double or extra doses. Do not take more than your prescribed dose.