Patient was educated on contraindications for using Percocet as follows:
- Percocet affects the respiratory center in the brain and induces slowing down of respirations. The breathing pattern can become irregular with reduced gas exchange and lead to elevated carbon dioxide and reduced oxygen levels in the body. Overdose of Percocet can also cause respiratory arrest. Percocet should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of respiratory abnormalities, such as, asthma and COPD.
- Percocet should be avoided or used with extreme caution in individuals with history of head injury, coma, and brain surgery. These individuals are at increased risk for depression of the respiratory center and coma with Percocet.
- Avoid using Percocet along with other medications that have a potential to cause respiratory depression, such as, muscle relaxants, sedatives, and antianxiety medications. Though they cause mild respiratory depression individually, they can have an additive effect when combined with Percocet and thus, precipitate severe respiratory depression.
- Percocet has the potential to increase the intracranial pressure. Individuals with history of head injury, curvature of the spine, and intracranial lesions are at increased risk for elevated intracranial pressures, secondary to Percocet use, with consequent headache, vomiting, double vision, and confusion.
- Percocet should be avoided in individuals with history of drug and alcohol addiction. Alcohol with Percocet can lead to severe depression of the respiratory center in the brain, respiratory arrest, and coma. Acetaminophen in Percocet with alcohol can cause severe damage to the liver.
