Oxycet Addiction and Abuse

Oxycet, formerly a brand name for Percocet, was prone to abuse, dependence and addiction, much like Percocet is today. Treatment is available for an Oxycet addiction.

Oxycet, a discontinued brand name product for the same drugs present in Percocet, was a highly addictive, short-acting narcotic. Like Percocet, it had a high risk for abuse and dependence. Although brand-name Oxycet has been discontinued, the components are still available as a generic drug and in other brand name drugs like Percocet. Drugs labeled brand-name Oxycet today are, therefore, likely to either be expired or counterfeit.

Oxycet Addiction

Oxycet was classified as a Schedule II substance by the Federal Drug Administration due to its highly addictive nature and its high potential for overdose. Like other opioids, Oxycet triggers the brain’s reward center, which can make people seek the drug to experience euphoric effects.

Someone struggling with Oxycet or another opioid use may start showing signs of addiction. Many signs reflect attitude and behavior and are common to multiple substances. These signs include:

• Withdrawing from social life
• Avoiding family and friends
• Spending an excessive amount of time with new friends
• Losing interest in things that the person used to be interested in
• Having mood swings
• Being irritable
• Having trouble sleeping or sleeping at odd times
• Forgetting appointments and plans
• Missing deadlines
• Experiencing problems at work or school
• Having family problems
• Acting in a reckless manner
• Having legal problems

What is Oxycet?

Oxycet was a combination narcotic painkiller that was used to treat moderate to severe acute pain. Each tablet contained between 2.5 and 10 mg of the analgesic opioid oxycodone and 325 mg of the mild pain reliever acetaminophen.

Signs, Symptoms & Side Effects of Abuse

Common side effects associated with oxycodone use are similar to those of other opioids and include:

• Lightheadedness
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Mood changes
• Constipation
• Itching

The acetaminophen contained in Oxycet can increase the risk of liver problems, especially when taken at a dose of more than four grams daily or when combined with other substances like alcohol. Symptoms of acetaminophen overdose include:

• Vomiting
• Pain in the right upper quadrant of the abdomen
• Low blood pressure

Interactions with Alcohol

Oxycet should never be mixed with alcohol. Both the oxycodone and the acetaminophen components of Oxycet have interactions with alcohol. The combined use of the two can lead to complications, including severely slowed breathing and liver damage. The risk of an overdose greatly increases as well.

Symptoms of an overdose can include:

• Severe respiratory depression
• Decreased levels of consciousness
• Pinpoint pupils

Respiratory depression is the most serious risk factor due to its influence on critical organ failure.

Opioids like the oxycodone contained in Oxycet act directly on the brainstem to suppress the automatic urge to breathe. The brainstem responds to elevated carbon dioxide levels in the blood. In the event of an opioid overdose, the brainstem fails to initiate respiration, leading to toxic carbon dioxide levels and dangerously low levels of oxygen.

Other signs of an overdose include blue/purple fingernails and lips, nausea, vomiting, stomach muscle spasms, weakness, and cold/clammy skin.

If you suspect an overdose, it is important to administer naloxone if it is available. Naloxone, also known by the brand name Narcan, is an opioid overdose antidote. If you give naloxone to someone, you should always call 911, even if the person seems to get better when you have given the drug. Naloxone starts to reverse an overdose within three minutes. However, it wears off within 90 minutes. Therefore, it is possible for someone to overdose a second time after the drug wears off, even if they have taken no additional opioids.

Long-Term Consequences

Using opioids for an extended period of time is not advised and can lead to long-term effects including dependence and addiction. For this reason, never take Oxycet or any opioid painkiller unless it is prescribed to you.

Oxycet Withdrawal

If you are taking an opioid and want to quit, you should discuss the issue with your doctor or an addiction counselor. Opioids should never be stopped suddenly or “cold turkey,” as this will greatly increase your risk of uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms that may make recovery more difficult.

Withdrawal Symptoms

Oxycet withdrawal symptoms are similar to those of other opioids and include:

• Mental status problems like agitation and anxiety
• Muscle aches and pains
• Runny eyes and nose
• Insomnia
• Sweating
• Yawning
• Gastrointestinal problems like stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
• Big pupils
• Goosebumps

Withdrawal Timeline

Oxycet is a short-acting drug, meaning that it does not stay in the system for very long compared to some other longer-acting opioids. However, withdrawal symptoms can start after your first missed dose. If you take Oxycet round-the-clock on a regular basis, this means that you may start going through withdrawal the same day that you quit the drug.

Individuals who are having difficulty managing the withdrawal symptoms should seek a medically assisted detoxification program. This program allows patients to safely detox in the presence of medically-trained staff who can answer any questions patients may have about their unique withdrawal struggles.

Remember, everyone experiences withdrawal differently. Do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Is Oxycet Safe to Take While Pregnant?

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or FDA, makes recommendations about the safety of medications in pregnancy and while breastfeeding. The FDA states that it is not known whether Oxycet can cause harm to a fetus. However, chronic opioid use during pregnancy can cause the fetus to become dependent on opioids and lead to withdrawal after birth.

How Can Oxycet Affect Your Baby?

It is not known whether Oxycet can harm a fetus in the early stages of pregnancy. However, experts are aware that opioids can cross the placenta, exposing the fetus to the drug. After the baby is born, this can lead to a withdrawal syndrome in the baby with symptoms like:

• Irritability
• Hyperactivity
• Abnormal sleep
• A high pitched cry
• Tremor
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Trouble gaining weight

If you are breastfeeding, it is important to be aware that opioids like Oxycet can also be found in breast milk in low concentrations. This means that a baby is exposed to the opioid while breastfeeding.

Safe Alternatives to Treat Pain During Pregnancy

Although some doctors will allow pregnant women to continue their prescription if taken as directed, some doctors and women prefer to use alternative therapies during pregnancy. This can include different modalities, including:

• Cold compresses
• Warm compresses
• Relaxation techniques
• Some over-the-counter treatments like acetaminophen

If you are currently abusing prescription painkillers and become pregnant, it is important to seek a rehabilitation program as soon as possible. Recovering from your addiction is extremely important, especially for expecting mothers, as the newborn will depend on you once you give birth.

Getting Treatment for Addiction

Medical detox is the first step in overcoming opioid addiction. In an inpatient medically-supervised environment, you can be eased off opioid drugs while minimizing withdrawal symptoms. Frequently, those who struggle with opioids will require medication-assisted treatment, or MAT to help fight their addiction over the longer term. These medications include methadone as well as drugs containing buprenorphine. Sometimes, MAT drugs are started in medical detox alongside other therapies to gently wean you off Oxycet.

Inpatient and Outpatient Rehab Options

People in different stages of recovery have different needs. For some people, an inpatient rehab setting is best because they can get away from the real world and focus on recovery. Inpatient rehab is a program that requires patients to live on campus at one of The Recovery Village’s designated inpatient centers while they recover from addiction. This program can be very helpful for patients who have a severe addiction or those who would have trouble recovering due to distractions from home in daily life.

For others, outpatient rehab is best, where people can live at home and work while still attending rehab therapy sessions. Your addiction counselor will help you choose the rehab option that fits your needs the best. Patients with less severe addiction may opt to skip inpatient rehab entirely and begin recovery with the outpatient option.

Choosing an Oxycet Rehab Center

Choosing a rehab center is an important step in each patient’s journey to a substance-free life. It is recommended that patients consult with their doctors before making this important decision.

The Recovery Village has many programs and resources that can be tailored to fit each patient’s needs. To learn more about these life-saving opportunities, contact us to discuss treatment options that may meet your needs.

Visit the following websites to learn about The Recovery Village’s network of drug and alcohol rehabilitation facilities. Call today for admissions. Each center is ready to help people learn how to cope with their addiction and uncover the root causes for their substance use disorder.

• Orlando Recovery Center: A premier rehabilitation facility in Orlando, Florida that helps individuals recover from addiction and substance use disorders. The center also offers the opportunity to treat co-occurring disorders.
• The Recovery Village Columbus: Located in Ohio, this facility provides inpatient, outpatient and aftercare treatment for people looking to begin detox. The center provides individualized plans to help patients through recovery while addressing their unique co-occurring disorders or any setbacks that may happen during recovery.
• The Recovery Village Palmer Lake: In Colorado, this facility offers inpatient, outpatient and intensive outpatient treatment for individuals looking to kick-start their journey to recovery.
• The Recovery Village Ridgefield: Located right in southern Washington, this facility provides patients with outpatient and aftercare programs. Just 20 minutes outside of Portland, this facility assists individuals who are ready to begin treatment.
• The Recovery Village: In Umatilla, Florida, this is a rehabilitation facility that provides resources for individuals seeking drug and alcohol treatment. There are inpatient, outpatient, intensive outpatient and partial hospitalization treatment programs available for those suffering from Ambien addiction.
• IAFF Center of Excellence: Specializes in assisting firefighters who struggle with behavioral health problems and addiction. Members can enter the recovery process sooner so they can return back to work as quickly as possible. Inpatient, partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs are all available at this facility, where patients can address their Ambien addiction in a safe, supportive environment.
• Denver Mental Health & Counseling: Denver Mental Health and Counseling by The Recovery Village is a physician-led outpatient center specializing in evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, offering services such as TMS, IOP, and personalized care for both ongoing and new patients, dedicated to fostering long-term recovery and overall well-being.
• The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health: The Recovery Village Palm Beach at Baptist Health is a premier physician-led treatment center in South Florida, offering a comprehensive spectrum of services from medical detox to outpatient programs for alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, with a commitment to rejuvenating lives, families, and communities, and facilitating same-day admissions.
• The Recovery Village Atlanta: Located in Roswell just outside downtown Atlanta, is a 62-bed physician-led treatment facility offering a comprehensive range of services, from medical detox to outpatient care, specializing in alcohol, drug, and co-occurring mental health conditions, dedicated to transforming lives, families, and communities throughout Georgia.
• The Recovery Village Kansas City: The Recovery Village Kansas City, an 80-bed facility in Raytown just 10 miles from downtown, offers a comprehensive range of evidence-based treatments for addiction and mental health conditions, overseen by physician leaders, and is dedicated to revitalizing lives, families, and communities throughout the Midwest.
• The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper Health: The Recovery Village Cherry Hill at Cooper, situated just 20 minutes from Philadelphia, is a leading rehab facility in South Jersey providing comprehensive, evidence-based addiction and mental health treatments, ranging from medical detox to teletherapy, with a dedicated team committed to guiding adults on their path to lifelong recovery.

Editor – Rob Alston

Rob Alston has traveled around Australia, Japan, Europe, and America as a writer and editor for industries including personal wellness and recovery. Read more

Medically Reviewed By – Dr. Jessica Pyhtila, PharmD

Dr. Jessica Pyhtila is a Clinical Pharmacy Specialist based in Baltimore, Maryland with practice sites in inpatient palliative care and outpatient primary care at the Department of Veteran Affairs. Read more