Doctors prescribe Percocet, an opioid drug, to manage symptoms of moderate to severe pain. You may have wondered if you can drink alcohol after taking this prescription drug. Alcohol is never suitable to drink with opioid medicine since both substances affect the central nervous system.
This combination can cause breathing problems and can lead to overdose. Avoid pouring a glass of wine or beer after taking the drug to relieve pain.
Long-term misuse of drugs with alcohol can also lead to substance use disorder. A person may feel lost when stuck in a cycle of addiction. You can break through the cycle by getting professional residential treatment at The Haven Detox-New England.
Key Takeaways
Before using any drug, you must learn about it and how it interacts with alcohol. Percocet is a pain reliever; mixing it with alcohol will impact your motor skills. Learn about this drug, its interaction, and addiction treatment.
- Percocet is an opioid medication that acts quickly on your body and treats mild to intense pain.
- It works by depressing central nervous system activity.
- Percocet and alcohol lower the brain’s activity, leading to dizziness and drowsiness.
- Long-term misuse of this drug can cause breathing problems and coma.
- Detox, inpatient, and outpatient programs are suitable for treating alcohol and drug addiction.
Let The Haven Detox-New England help you recover. Call us at (844) 933-4145.
Percocet: How It Works
Percocet is the brand name for opioid pain medication which contains a combination of oxycodone and paracetamol.
Oxycodone rapidly absorbs in your body to relieve pain. This medication works by blocking pain signals from the brain. Oxycodone is effective for individuals with severe pain. It alters how your body feels and responds to pain.
Paracetamol is vital to reduce symptoms of fever. While paracetamol can be found over the counter (OTC), Percocet cannot. It is only available through a doctor’s prescription.
Do not increase the dose to experience its calming effect. You may become addicted to Percocet if you take it more often for no reason. The Haven Detox offers opioid addiction treatment in a secure and supportive environment. During the treatment, you will undergo opioid detox.
To correctly use this medication, follow your doctor’s instructions. If you experience nausea after taking it, inform your physician.
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice when you are taking this medicine. The dosage of this drug is based on your condition and how you respond to the treatment.
Risks of Taking Percocet
Prescription medications have many risks, especially if they are misused. It can lead to addiction and opioid overdoses. Oxycodone and acetaminophen have the potential for a severe problem. A high level of acetaminophen in your body can lead to liver damage.
Some of the side effects of Percocet abuse include:
- Stomach ache
- Chronic pain and bowel problems
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Tiredness
Oxycodone in this drug causes respiratory depression and is dangerous for people with asthma. The side effects of Percocet will increase when you mix it with alcohol to reduce pain symptoms. Get information about drug interaction from a medical professional.
Percocet and Alcohol: A Dangerous Combination
Percocet is suitable to use after an injury, illness, or surgery. This medication is given for short-term treatments but can lead to addiction and abuse. It can trigger dependence because this drug enters the bloodstream and relieves pain within a few hours.
People combine it with an alcoholic beverage to enhance the soothing effects of this opioid medication. This interaction can be life-threatening because both drugs have sedative effects and can lead you to pass out or fall, causing physical injury.
If you take two depressants together, they both will intensify each other’s side effects. They both can slow down breathing. A decreased breathing rate will shut down the organ system leading to brain damage due to lack of oxygen.
If you have taken them together, avoid driving or operating machinery to prevent severe injury. Get immediate medical attention if you face dizziness and feel suffocated after combining alcohol with Percocet.
Health Complications When Mixing Percocet and Alcohol
Opioid painkillers like Tylenol and alcohol are central nervous system depressants. This combination can lead to nausea, and a person could also vomit. If an individual is under the influence and vomits, they could choke.
Individuals who abuse alcohol with Percocet can experience cognitive impairment and are dangerous for others and themselves.
Long-term misuse of this medicine can cause you to develop a tolerance to alcohol, and you may drink more to experience euphoric effects. Each ingredient reacts with alcohol and causes serious side effects.
Since this combination can cause an overdose, it is vital to know the signs of an overdose. Some signs include tiny pupils, blue skin, and shallow or stopped breathing.
To treat overdose, the patient is given naloxone, also known as Narcan. This drug can reverse the effects of opioids and can help patients breathe.
The Haven Detox-New England assists individuals struggling with opioid addiction. They offer medication-assisted treatment to alleviate opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Side Effects of Oxycodone and Alcohol
Prescription opioids that contain oxycodone activate opioid receptors, also known as nerve cells in the brain. It leads you to experience euphoria and pain relief. Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid drug found in the opium poppy plant.
Oxycodone is highly addictive and leads to overdose and death in severe cases. This opioid drug is also available under other names like oxy. A combination of oxycodone with alcohol can lead to:
- Liver failure
- Constipation
- Low blood pressure
- Heart attack
Side Effects of Acetaminophen and Alcohol
Acetaminophen in this drug is safe to use and causes few side effects. However, it can lead to liver damage in certain cases, like when you consume more than the intended dose and take it with alcohol. When alcohol and this drug enter your body, the liver releases acetaminophen to break down alcohol.
This enzyme cannot process acetaminophen in this drug and increases its concentration. It can lead to liver problems. The risk of liver damage is higher among people who consume too much alcohol. It can also lead to alcohol poisoning.
Other dangers of taking large amounts of acetaminophen with alcohol can cause:
- Ulcers
- Internal damage
- Rapid heartbeat
Recovery for Percocet and Alcohol Addiction
Some rehab centers in the United States offer treatment and alcohol detox at different levels of care. In serious addiction, a patient must undergo detox under medical care. Depending on your condition, you may receive further treatment in an inpatient or outpatient rehab.
Both programs offer similar services; however, inpatient and outpatient treatment duration varies. You will stay for 30 to 90 days in inpatient rehab. Whereas in the case of outpatient rehab, you can leave the facility after attending sessions.
You can join counseling sessions and support groups to ensure a long-term recovery. 12-step programs also play an essential role in lowering the risk of relapse, and members can share their stories.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What happens if you drink alcohol after taking painkillers?
Prescription painkillers are quick pain relievers and can help people with muscle pain or headache. Painkillers like Percocet block pain messages and produce calming effects. Alcohol amplifies these effects and causes extreme drowsiness.
Percocet with alcohol can cause dehydration, poor concentration, and loss of consciousness. This combination can slow your breathing and heart rate. Lack of oxygen can also lead to organ failure, coma, and death.
How long should I wait to drink alcohol after taking Percocet?
Percocet contains oxycodone which can affect your body for four hours. Even if you no longer feel its effect, it may still be present and can react with alcohol. Acetaminophen active in this drug has a half-life of three hours. It takes a total of 19 hours to get rid of this drug.
The half-life of Percocet varies and depends on a person’s health and overall medical condition. It may take longer if an individual has liver problems. It is best to ask the healthcare provider about the half-life of Percocet and avoid alcohol.
Can you take pain medicine with alcohol?
It is unsafe to use alcohol with any medication because this substance tends to cancel its effect or increase its amount in your body. Alcohol interacts with pain medicine and causes serious illness and physical injury.
You can avoid this condition by not drinking alcohol at all. If you experience intense alcohol cravings, then consult a doctor. They can help you avoid this deadly interaction because this combination can lead to substance addiction.
Sobriety is Possible at The Haven Detox-New England
Alcohol addiction can cause health problems and interfere with the working mechanism of medicines you take for specific illnesses. Percocet is a pain reliever, and taking it with alcohol can have an adverse effect on your health.
If you cannot stop drinking despite facing its effect on your life, then it’s time to get help. The Haven Detox-New England aims to improve the lives of people suffering from addiction.
Our team of medical professionals offers alcohol detox treatment. They use various strategies to help you achieve sobriety.
Substance addiction patients may also have a co-occurring mental illness that complicates recovery. Our facility offers co-occurring treatment to help them overcome addiction and mental disorders.Call us today at (844) 933-4145 to start your journey toward recovery.
