Patient was educated on Percocet and its mechanism of action as follows:
- Percocet is a pain medication that is combination of an opioid pain killer and a non-opioid pain killer.
- The opioid pain killer in Percocet is Oxycodone that is derived from Thebaine and the non-opioid pain killer is the Acetaminophen.
- Percocet is used to relieve moderate to severe pain.
- Percocet binds with the opioid receptors in the brain and block the release of excitatory neurotransmitters, such as, substance P, which are involved with pain production. Thus, Percocet primarily modifies the pain signaling in the brain.
- This action of Percocet alters the perception of pain by the patient.
- The Acetaminophen reduces the fever and is a less potent pain reliever that potentiates the action of Oxycodone.