Is Oxycodone the Same as Percocet? Key Differences in Strength, Side Effects, and Risks

If you have taken oxycodone (brand name OxyContin) or Percocet by prescription, you likely want to know about the differences. 

While both medications contain oxycodone as an active ingredient, there are differences, and understanding them is important for your safety and can help you identify potential side effects and even prevent a possible accidental overdose. This article will explore how these two medications differ, their individual characteristics, and when you should seek support with your opioid use if it becomes unmanageable.

Are Oxycodone and Percocet the Same Medication?

No, oxycodone and Percocet are not identical, though they are closely connected.

Oxycodone is the opioid ingredient that provides pain relief.[1]

Percocet is a brand-name prescription medication that contains oxycodone along with acetaminophen.[2] In other words, every Percocet tablet contains oxycodone, but not every medication with oxycodone is Percocet. Oxycodone is also sold under other brand names, such as Roxicodone and Oxaydo, while OxyContin is an extended-release form of oxycodone designed to provide pain relief over a longer period.[3]

Oxycodone vs. Percocet: How Do the Two Compare?

What Ingredients Are in Each Drug?

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid that is created from opium. It binds to opioid receptors in both the brain and spinal cord, which blocks the transmission of nerve impulses, effectively reducing the way you feel pain.[4] Percocet contains oxycodone, so it functions the same; however, it also has acetaminophen. 

Acetaminophen is not an opioid and has no effect on opioid receptors. The exact mechanisms involved with acetaminophen are not well defined; however, researchers believe that acetaminophen provides pain relief through interference with pathways in the central nervous system related to thermoregulation and pain signaling.[5] Acetaminophen is included in Percocet because it will help reduce pain and fever without contributing to the side effects associated with opioids. When combined, they may provide total pain reduction when using a lower amount of the drug compared to if the patient were taking only oxycodone.

Does Percocet Contain Oxycodone?

Yes. Percocet contains oxycodone as its opioid pain-relieving ingredient. The difference is that Percocet also includes acetaminophen (the same active ingredient found in Tylenol). Oxycodone, on the other hand, is available by itself without acetaminophen.

Because Percocet combines two pain relievers that work in different ways, it may provide better pain relief for some types of pain. 

Which is More Powerful: Oxycodone or Percocet?

Neither medication is automatically stronger than the other. The opioid effects come from the oxycodone, which is the active opioid ingredient in both medications. The acetaminophen in Percocet does not make the opioid stronger.

That said, some people find that Percocet provides better overall pain relief because the acetaminophen works alongside the oxycodone to target pain in a different way. This can make Percocet feel more effective for certain conditions, even though it does not produce stronger opioid effects or a greater “high” than an equivalent amount of oxycodone alone.

Comparison of Oxycodone’s Medical Uses Versus Percocet

Oxycodone alone can be used for:

• Moderate to severe pain 
• For people who are dealing with cancer-related pain
• Select cases involving chronic pain
• Post-surgical pain

Percocet is most commonly used for:

• Acute injury pain
• Dental procedure pain
• Orthopedic surgery pain
• Short-term relief from acute pain

The addition of acetaminophen in Percocet makes it a drug that is best suited for short-duration use. The longer you take this combination, the higher your exposure will be to the maximum safe dose of acetaminophen, which increases the chances of developing liver complications.[6]

Side Effects of Oxycodone vs. Percocet

Shared Side Effects

Oxycodone and Percocet are two opioid-based prescription medications that both have the potential for causing:

• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Dizziness
• Respiratory depression 

Side Effects Unique to Percocet

Percocet has side effects that differ from those experienced by users of oxycodone. Since Percocet includes acetaminophen as one of its ingredients:

• You run the risk of experiencing liver toxicity if you consume high levels of this medication or take it for an extended period.
• Acetaminophen can be very dangerous to your liver when consumed while drinking alcohol.
• Many individuals are unaware that many over-the-counter medications used to treat colds, flus, and various types of pain also include acetaminophen, which could lead to accidental toxicity.

It is essential to check the label of all of your other medications prior to using Percocet to avoid having excessive amounts of acetaminophen.

Which Medication Has a Higher Risk of Misuse or Overdose?

Both medications are opioids and can result in the following:

• Dependence 
• Addictive behaviors
• Buildup of tolerance
• Withdrawals
• Accidental overdoses

Warning Signs of Opiate Overdose:

• Slow or shallow breathing
• Tiny pupils
• Bluish tint to lips and fingertips
• Unresponsiveness

These signs should be taken as a medical emergency. Opioid overdose can quickly lead to respiratory depression, coma, and death if not treated promptly.[7]

Is it Okay to Switch Back-and-Forth Between Oxycodone and Percocet?

No. Both medications need to be switched with your doctor. Also, the amount of oxycodone that you are taking needs to be periodically assessed by your doctor to ensure it is helping you. If you are taking high amounts of acetaminophen through Percocet, switching to oxycodone alone may reduce acetaminophen exposure and the associated risk of liver damage. 

What’s the Best Option for You?

Physicians are looking at a number of different issues when comparing oxycodone vs. Percocet. These include:

• Type of pain and how severe it is
• Duration of time that the patient expects to be in pain
• If the patient has an existing liver condition
• Current other prescription drugs that the patient is taking
• Amount of alcohol that the patient uses
• Risk of opioid misuse as identified by personal or family history
• Need to minimize acetaminophen intake

Tips for Safely Taking Oxycodone or Percocet

• Take the medication precisely as instructed
• Do not drink alcohol when you are taking either of these medications
• Only take sedatives or benzodiazepine products with opioids if it has been specifically indicated that this is safe and acceptable to do so by your prescriber
• Be aware of and avoid exceeding the maximum daily acetaminophen dose, particularly if you are also taking Percocet with another medication
• Store all medications safely
• Properly dispose of any unused medication, ideally through a take-back program
• Determine if it would make sense to keep naloxone at home based on your individual circumstances

The best way to minimize the potential for misuse and overdose involving opioid medications in the home is to properly understand how much of each medication should be taken and how to store them.[8]

When to Seek Professional Help

Oxycodone and Percocet may have been prescribed as part of your treatment plan, but at some point in time, the need for these medications may develop into an addiction. Some signs that you or someone else you care about may be struggling with addiction to either oxycodone or Percocet (or both) include:

• You take more of the medication than was prescribed.
• You experience intense urges (cravings) to take the medication after each dose.
• You see many different doctors, so you will get more prescriptions.
• Between doses, you experience withdrawal symptoms.
• Although there are negative consequences in your life due to the medication, you continue using the medication.

If any of the above describe you or someone else you care about, you should know that there is always hope for recovery. The staff at Aura Recovery Center understands that a prescription medication can easily become a problem for which you feel no one can help you. Our staff will meet you where you are with understanding and without judgment. Reaching out for help is a sign of courage, not weakness.

Concerned About Opioid Dependency? Aura Recovery Center Is Here

When comparing oxycodone vs. Percocet, the most important thing to remember is that Percocet contains oxycodone. 

The difference is that Percocet also has acetaminophen, while oxycodone by itself contains only the opioid medication. Because both medications contain oxycodone, they share many of the same benefits, side effects, and risks. However, Percocet also carries additional considerations due to its acetaminophen content.

If you or someone you love is concerned about their use of opioids or other prescription medicine, the right time to reach out is now. Aura Recovery is here to help you understand your options, answer your questions, and guide you toward the support you need.