Looking at any label on a box or bottle of Percocet, or even researching it online, one finds that the manufacturer’s warnings are very clear. The labels warn against certain ways of taking the drug. For instance, snorting Percocet triggers high doses of oxycodone to the blood brain barrier, which can cause overdosing. Let’s review how Percocet can be abused.
Is it possible to Abuse Percocet?
Yes, it is possible to abuse Percocet. The main ingredient in Percocet is oxycodone, which is an opioid pain killer. That makes it one of the leading prescriptions medications being abused in America. It is abused because it helps relieve severe pain, and also because it can cause a euphoric high. The euphoric effect changes depending on the way the medication is taken. Percocet also affects the brain along with the central nervous system, and changes the way pain is perceived by the brain.
How is Percocet Abused?
There are various ways of abusing Percocet, either with or without a prescription, as follows:
- Going over the prescribed dose;
- Continuing to take it longer than prescribed
- Snorting Percocet
- Smoking Percocet
- Injecting Percocet
- Chewing Percocet
Chewing, snorting, smoking or injecting Percocet bypasses the controlled release parameters which help to distribute the medication within the body. Bypassing these parameters can induce a euphoric high, as the delivered dose is more concentrated that it would be if the medication was metabolized through the gastrointestinal system.
The Side Effects of Percocet
There are adverse side effects to abusing Percocet, and they are often unpredictable. The side effects can be made worse if individuals are sharing needles, and could lead to the contraction of infections and diseases. Taking Percocet is higher concentrations could lead to overdosing, coma or even death.
Some other side effects of abusing Percocet are:
- Changes in mood regulators
- Constipation
- Liver damage
- Fatigue
- Heart attack
- Irregularity in breathing
- Respiratory depression
What are the Signs of Percocet Abuse?
Like any other drug, symptoms of Percocet abuse will depend upon how long an individual has been taking it, and in what dosage. It will also depend upon whether an individual is mixing the Percocet with any other substances. Some of the most common signs of Percocet abuse are:
- Extreme fatigue or over relaxation
- Increased dosage than prescribed
- Going to different doctors to get more prescriptions filled
- Social withdrawal
- Periods of blacking out.
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Nervousness and irritation
- Depression and anxiety
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