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acetaminophen/oxycodone vs oxycodone

Side-by-side comparison of acetaminophen/oxycodone and oxycodone. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.

minor Known Drug Interaction

ketoconazole), and protease inhibitors (e.g., ritonavir), can increase the plasma concentration of oxycodone, resulting in increased or prolonged opioid effects. After stopping a CYP3A4 inhibitor, as the effects of the inhibitor decline, the oxycodone plasma concentration will decrease [see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ] , resulting in decreased opioid efficacy or a withdrawal syndrome in patients who had developed physical dependence to PERCOCET. Inducers of CYP3A4 The concomitant use of PERCOCET and CYP3A4 inducers, such as rifampin, carbamazepine, and phenytoin, can decrease the plasma...

Recommendation: Do not take these two medicines together because they contain the same active ingredient.

Drug Class
acetaminophen/oxycodone Opioid Analgesic Combination
oxycodone Opioid Analgesic
Type
acetaminophen/oxycodone Prescription
oxycodone Prescription
Summary
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Percocet is a strong pain medicine. It contains acetaminophen and oxycodone, an opioid.

oxycodone

Oxycodone is a strong pain medicine. It is used to treat severe pain that is not helped by other treatments.

What It Treats
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Percocet is used to manage severe pain. It is for pain that requires an opioid medicine. You should only use Percocet if other pain treatments don't work well enough.

oxycodone

Oxycodone is used to manage severe pain. It is for pain that requires an opioid medicine. You should only use it when other pain treatments are not enough. Talk to your doctor about other options if possible.

How It Works
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Oxycodone works in the brain to block pain signals. Acetaminophen also helps to reduce pain and fever. Together, they provide stronger pain relief.

oxycodone

Oxycodone works by changing how your brain and nervous system respond to pain. It attaches to certain receptors in the brain. This helps to block pain signals and reduce pain.

Common Side Effects
acetaminophen/oxycodone
  • Lightheadedness
  • Dizziness
  • Drowsiness
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
oxycodone
  • Feeling sick to your stomach
  • Constipation
  • Throwing up
  • Headache
  • Itching
FAERS Reports
acetaminophen/oxycodone
  • Tiredness 34,486
  • Feeling sick to your stomach 29,571
  • Head pain 28,378
  • Aches 28,322
  • Loose stools 23,628
oxycodone
  • Addiction to the drug 27,480
  • Pain 26,410
  • Death 19,598
  • Taking too much of the drug 19,081
  • Harmful effects from different substances 16,254
Serious Warnings
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Percocet has a boxed warning. It can cause addiction, abuse, and misuse, leading to overdose and death. It can also cause life-threatening breathing problems, especially when starting or increasing the dose. Accidental ingestion, even one dose, can cause a fatal overdose, especially in children. Taking Percocet with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants, including alcohol, can cause severe sedation, breathing problems, coma, and death. Using opioids for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if you take too much.

oxycodone

Oxycodone can cause serious, life-threatening risks: * Addiction, abuse, and misuse can lead to overdose and death. Your doctor will check your risk before prescribing and during treatment. * It can cause very slow or stopped breathing, especially when you start taking it or after a dose increase. * If a child accidentally takes even one dose, it can cause a fatal overdose. * Taking it with benzodiazepines (like Xanax) or other depressants (like alcohol) can cause sleepiness, slowed breathing, coma, and death. * Using oxycodone for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. * Taking oxycodone with certain other medicines can cause dangerous side effects.

Pregnancy
acetaminophen/oxycodone

Taking Percocet for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Make sure a newborn specialist is available when you deliver your baby.

oxycodone

Using oxycodone for a long time during pregnancy can cause withdrawal symptoms in the baby after birth. Talk to your doctor about the risks if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Oxycodone is not recommended during labor, as it can cause breathing problems in the newborn.

Also Compare, Nearby Drugs

How to Read This acetaminophen/oxycodone vs oxycodone Comparison

acetaminophen/oxycodone is classified in the Opioid Analgesic Combination drug class, while oxycodone sits within the Opioid Analgesic class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.

Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, acetaminophen/oxycodone has 144,385 submissions while oxycodone has 108,823. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking both of these medications increases the total amount of oxycodone in your blood, which can lead to dangerous side effects.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.

A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between acetaminophen/oxycodone and oxycodone - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.

Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.