Percocet dosing: Strength in numbers

Nurse Practitioner, May 2000 by Cohen, Hedy, Cohen, Michael R

For more than 20 years, Percocet (oxycodone, 5 mg, and acetaminophen, 325 mg) has been a common pain reliever. Now that three additional strengths are available, using the Percocet name alone without the dose breakdown is no longer acceptable.

The four Percocet products now available include the following amounts of oxycodone and acetaminophen, respectively: Percocet 2.5 mg/325 mg, Percocet 5 mg/325 mg, Percocet 7.5 mg/500 mg, and Percocet 10 mg/650 mg.

Each Percocet strength differs from the others in tablet shape, size, and color; however, these safeguards may not be available in corresponding generic products.

Prescribers must specify both the oxycodone and acetaminophen strengths. Relying on the oxycodone concentration alone is dangerous because the order may be misinterpreted and the patient could receive multiple tablets.