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Below are the general guidelines for dosing Percocet. Note that these dosages may be adjusted on a case-by-case basis for individual patients. Always follow your prescribing physician’s instructions for taking Percocet.

The following information comes from DailyMed, an FDA label information provider.

What if I miss a dose of Percocet?

According to Mayo Clinic, if you miss a dose of Percocet, take it immediately unless you are closer in time to your next dose. Never double doses.

What if I overdose on Percocet?

If you believe you have overdosed on Percocet, call 911 or a Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222 immediately.

Dosage and Administration

Important Dosage and Administration Instructions

Use the lowest effective dosage for the shortest duration consistent with individual patient treatment goals.

Initiate the dosing regimen for each patient individually, taking into account the patient’s severity of pain, patient response, prior analgesic treatment experience, and risk factors for addiction, abuse, and misuse.

Monitor patients closely for respiratory depression, especially within the first 24 to 72 hours of initiating therapy and following dosage increases with Percocet and adjust the dosage accordingly.

Patient Access to Naloxone for the Emergency Treatment of Opioid Overdose

Discuss the availability of naloxone for the emergency treatment of opioid overdose with the patient and caregiver and assess the potential need for access to naloxone, both when initiating and renewing treatment with Percocet.

Inform patients and caregivers about the various ways to obtain naloxone as permitted by individual state naloxone dispensing and prescribing regulations (e.g., by prescription, directly from a pharmacist, or as part of a community-based program).

Consider prescribing naloxone, based on the patient’s risk factors for overdose, such as concomitant use of CNS depressants, a history of opioid use disorder, or prior opioid overdose. The presence of risk factors for overdose should not prevent the proper management of pain in any given patient.

Consider prescribing naloxone when the patient has household members (including children) or other close contacts at risk for accidental ingestion or overdose.

Initial Dosage

Initiating Treatment with Percocet

Initiate treatment with Percocet tablets 2.5 mg/325 mg adult dosage, with one or 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed for pain. The total daily dose of acetaminophen should not exceed 4 grams.

The usual adult dosage is one tablet every 6 hours as needed for pain. The total daily dose of acetaminophen should not exceed 4 grams.

 StrengthUsual Adult Dosage  Maximal
Daily Dose 
Percocet 2.5 mg/325 mg 1 or 2 tablets every 6 hours as needed  for pain   12 Tablets
Percocet 5 mg/325 mg 1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for pain  12 Tablets
Percocet 7.5 mg/325 mg1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for pain 8 Tablets
 Percocet 10 mg/325 mg1 tablet every 6 hours as needed for pain 6 Tablets

Conversion from Percocet to Extended-Release Oxycodone

The relative bioavailability of Oxycodone Hydrochloride and Acetaminophen Tablets or Oral Solution compared to extended-release oxycodone is unknown, so conversion to extended-release oxycodone must be accompanied by close observation for signs of excessive sedation and respiratory depression.

Titration and Maintenance of Therapy

Individually titrate Percocet to a dose that provides adequate analgesia and minimizes adverse reactions. Continually reevaluate patients receiving Percocet to assess the maintenance of pain control and the relative incidence of adverse reactions, as well as monitoring for the development of addiction, abuse, or misuse. Frequent communication is important among the prescriber, other members of the healthcare team, the patient, and the caregiver/family during periods of changing analgesic requirements, including initial titration.

If the level of pain increases after dosage stabilization, attempt to identify the source of increased pain before increasing the Percocet dosage. If unacceptable opioid-related adverse reactions are observed, consider reducing the dosage. Adjust the dosage to obtain an appropriate balance between management of pain and opioid-related adverse reactions.

Safe Reduction or Discontinuation of Percocet Tablets and Oral Solution

Do not abruptly discontinue Percocet in patients who may be physically dependent on opioids.  Rapid discontinuation of opioid analgesics in patients who are physically dependent on opioids has resulted in serious withdrawal symptoms, uncontrolled pain, and suicide.  Rapid discontinuation has also been associated with attempts to find other sources of opioid analgesics, which may be confused with drug-seeking for abuse.  Patients may also attempt to treat their pain or withdrawal symptoms with illicit opioids, such as heroin, and other substances.

When a decision has been made to decrease the dose or discontinue therapy in an opioid-dependent patient taking Percocet, there are a variety of factors that should be considered, including the dose of Percocet the patient has been taking, the duration of treatment, the type of pain being treated, and the physical and psychological attributes of the patient.  It is important to ensure ongoing care of the patient and to agree on an appropriate tapering schedule and follow-up plan so that patient and provider goals and expectations are clear and realistic.  When opioid analgesics are being discontinued due to a suspected substance use disorder, evaluate and treat the patient, or refer for evaluation and treatment of the substance use disorder.  Treatment should include evidence-based approaches, such as medication assisted treatment of opioid use disorder.  Complex patients with co-morbid pain and substance use disorders may benefit from referral to a specialist.

There are no standard opioid tapering schedules that are suitable for all patients. Good clinical practice dictates a patient-specific plan to taper the dose of the opioid gradually. For patients on Percocet who are physically opioid-dependent, initiate the taper by a small enough increment (e.g., no greater than 10% to 25% of the total daily dose) to avoid withdrawal symptoms, and proceed with dose-lowering at an interval of every 2 to 4 weeks. Patients who have been taking opioids for briefer periods of time may tolerate a more rapid taper.

It may be necessary to provide the patient with lower dosage strengths to accomplish a successful taper. Reassess the patient frequently to manage pain and withdrawal symptoms, should they emerge. Common withdrawal symptoms include restlessness, lacrimation, rhinorrhea, yawning, perspiration, chills, myalgia, and mydriasis. Other signs and symptoms also may develop, including irritability, anxiety, backache, joint pain, weakness, abdominal cramps, insomnia, nausea, anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea, or increased blood pressure, respiratory rate, or heart rate. If withdrawal symptoms arise, it may be necessary to pause the taper for a period of time or raise the dose of the opioid analgesic to the previous dose, and then proceed with a slower taper. In addition, monitor patients for any changes in mood, emergence of suicidal thoughts, or use of other substances.

When managing patients taking opioid analgesics, particularly those who have been treated for a long duration and/or with high doses for chronic pain, ensure that a multimodal approach to pain management, including mental health support (if needed), is in place prior to initiating an opioid analgesic taper. A multimodal approach to pain management may optimize the treatment of chronic pain, as well as assist with the successful tapering of the opioid analgesic.

How is Percocet supplied?

Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen Tablets, USP) is supplied as follows:

2.5 mg/325 mg
Pink, oval, tablet, debossed with “PERCOCET” on one side and “2.5” on the other.
Bottles of 100                                  NDC 63481-627-70

5 mg/325 mg
Blue, round, tablet, debossed with “PERCOCET” and “5” on one side and bisect on the other.
Bottles of 100                                  NDC 63481-623-70
Bottles of 500                                  NDC 63481-623-85

7.5 mg/325 mg
Peach, oval-shaped, tablet, debossed with “PERCOCET” on one side and “7.5/325” on the other.
Bottles of 100                                  NDC 63481-628-70

10 mg/325 mg
Yellow, capsule-shaped, tablet, debossed with “PERCOCET” on one side and “10/325” on the other.
Bottles of 100                                  NDC 63481-629-70

Storage

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F). [See USP Controlled Room Temperature.] Protect from moisture. Dispense in a tight, light-resistant container as defined in the USP.

Store PERCOCET securely and dispose of properly.

DEA Order Form Required.

Distributed by:
Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.
Malvern, PA 19355

Manufactured by:
Par Pharmaceutical
Chestnut Ridge, NY 10977

PERCOCET® is a registered trademark of Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc.

© 2017 Endo Pharmaceuticals Inc. All rights reserved.

Printed in U.S.A.

Revised: August 2020 

Disclaimer: this article does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have an emergency or a serious medical question, please contact a medical professional or call 911 immediately. To see our full medical disclaimer, visit our Terms of Use page.


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