What is Percocet?

Percocet is a mixture of oxycodone and paracetamol, and was first approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) in 1976. It has a generic form in circulation known as endocet. Percocet is a narcotic pain reliever that gets used in hospitals and by general practitioners for the treatment of moderate to chronic pain and is regulated, by the DEA (Drug Enforcement Agency), as a schedule 2 narcotic.

The roots of Percocet can be followed as far back as the 1916, where a scientist, with the intention to create a substitute for the highly addictive heroin, which has been used as a cough suppressant at the time, stumbled upon the formula. Percocet was meant to be non-addictive and stayed out of rotation until 1939 and only became a household name in 1950, known as Percodan back then.

The drug made its rounds and became the most addictive drug in the country, with usage growing to more than one third of all drug abuse in the entire country. In 1963 the attorney general of the time tightened the regulations and, with the help of the NBN (National Bureau of Narcotics), known as the DEA these days, ordered the nationwide restriction of the narcotic. It was only in 1970 that the drug started being regulated as a schedule 2 narcotic. In 1974 the use of the drug has been highly regulated but still released for mass consumption.

The drug was sold in small doses with hospitals and pharmacies only keeping a limited supply of the drug. Over the following few years, doctors and researchers would seek more innovative ways to treat pain and eventually came up with a completely different support language for pain killers in 1989.

Percocet Side Effects

The abuse of Percocet abuse has been going on for decades, however, many people do not understand the effects that overuse of the drug has on the human body. The first effect is that Percocet is highly addictive with studies showing an addiction rate in patients within three weeks of starting the medication, even if the patient follows the prescribed dosage to a tee.

After addiction has kicked in a short period passes before the user feels the need to take the drug in order to feel "normal". Most people take the drug for the euphoric side effect that the drug offers, usually replacing the feeling of pain, guilt or depression that they feel when they are not on the drug. Drowsiness is another side effect of the drug when not used in moderation, with the biggest side effect being the change of personality. The overuse and addiction of the drug will create a sort of preoccupation within the user, to the point where he or she can think of nothing more than getting their next dosage and where they are going to get it from. The withdrawal of the drug usually begins within four hours of discontinuing use.

Long Term Percocet Side Effects

The most prominent long term side effect of Percocet abuse is respiratory distress, where the user is not able to take full or deep breaths. An additional long term side effect is a cardiovascular disorder where the user's body is not able to regulate his or her own heart rate.

How to Detox from Percocet Abuse

Detoxing from a drug these days is not as it was back in the day. These days, the effects do not have to be as heavy and painful as they used to be. Doctors are now able to prescribe substances that will ween you off of Percocet in a day with no pain at all. These are substances like Quinine Sulphate, Librium, and Baclofen . These will quickly absorb the remaining drugs in your system while cleaning and detoxing your system, flushing it from the drug.

If you suspect that a loved one is abusing Percocet you will need to act quickly. Remember that there will be a change in personality, so handle the situation with care, has they may become violent if they know you are trying to take their substance away from them. Get a doctor involved and keep an eye on your loved one as much as you can. Do not force the individual to do anything against his or her will, because they will just return to abusing drugs again in the near future.