Percocet 5/325mg – Entry-Level Opioid Analgesia for Moderate Pain
First-line oxycodone/acetaminophen combination for controlled pain management
Therapeutic Profile
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Oxycodone HCl: 5mg (Schedule II opioid)
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Acetaminophen: 325mg (non-opioid adjunct)
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Duration: 4–6 hours of analgesia
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Onset: 20–30 minutes (oral)
FDA-Approved Indications
✔ Postoperative pain (e.g., wisdom teeth extraction, minor surgery)
✔ Acute musculoskeletal injury (fractures, severe strains)
✔ Breakthrough pain in opioid-tolerant patients
✔ Short-term use (<5 days recommended for acute pain)
Dosing Protocol
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Opioid-Naive Adults: 1 tab q6h PRN (max 4 tabs/24hr)
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Opioid-Tolerant: May require q4h dosing (max 6 tabs/24hr)
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APAP Ceiling: ≤3,250mg daily (chronic use)
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Take With: Food/milk to reduce nausea
Safety-First Formulation
⚠️ Abuse-Deterrent Features:
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Blue oval tablets (imprint “PERCOCET 5/325”)
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Bitter taste when crushed
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Requires prescription hard copy in most states
⚠️ Black Box Warnings:
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Addiction/overdose risk (keep naloxone available)
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Life-threatening respiratory depression
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Neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome
Advantages Over Alternatives
→ More potent than codeine 30mg + APAP
→ Less sedating than hydrocodone 5mg combos
→ Lower APAP load than legacy 5/500 formulations
→ Wider therapeutic index than tramadol
Patient Counseling Essentials
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“Use only for severe pain”
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“Never combine with alcohol/benzodiazepines”
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“Dispose unused tablets via take-back programs”
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“Watch for constipation – use senna+DOSS preventatively”
Prescribing Considerations
▸ First-line for moderate acute pain in adults
▸ Requires:
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PDMP check
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Pain treatment agreement
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Renal/liver function tests (chronic use)
▸ Avoid in:
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COPD/sleep apnea patients
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Those taking CYP3A4 inhibitors
Available Formulations
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Brand: Blue oval tablets (Endo Pharmaceuticals)
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Generics: Multiple manufacturers
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Packaging:
• 30-count bottles (standard)
• 10-count hospital unit-dose
