Percocet is a prescription medication that combines an opioid, oxycodone, with a non-opioid pain reliever, acetaminophen. So, very commonly prescribed for relief in moderate to severe pain which the other remedy may not alleviate, especially after surgeries or injuries.
- Uses of Percocet Pain Management Percocet is typically administered to treat acute pain, which less potent analgesics cannot best manage.
- Postoperative Pain: It can be prescribed for major surgeries so that patients are able to tolerate the intensity of pain after surgery.
- Acute Injury Pain: This medication provides relief to administer the treatment for severe injuries such as fractures and burns, which makes it possible to recover as comfortably as can be.
- Severe Chronic Pain: For chronic pain such as arthritis, nerve pain, or cancerous conditions, Percocet can be prescribed if such severe pain does not respond to any other pain medication.
2. How Percocet Works
- Oxycodone Component: As an opioid, oxycodone works by binding to specific receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the sensation of pain. It simply "blocks" pain signals from reaching the brain, making you feel less pain.
- Acetaminophen Combination: This is one other pain reliever; known commonly for its anti-inflammatory action, it may heighten the effect of oxycodone and thus further provide a higher level of relief from pain. Also, acetaminophen is considered to work through its interference with chemicals in the brain involved in pain and inflammation.
3. Benefits of Percocet
- Fast and Effective Pain Relief: The medication can provide fast relief from pain, which is very effective for acute or sudden pain following surgery or injury.
- Improved Comfort and Quality of Life: Manage pain, making it more comfortable for the patient to rest and recover, have better sleep and mobility during recovery, and overall comfort and quality of life while recovering.
- Reduced Need for Supplemental Medications: Because it contains two analgesics, Percocet is likely to reduce the number of multiple prescriptions that will be needed and therefore reduce the total pill burden.