Mixing Percocet with alcohol

Mixing Percocet and alcohol can trigger a pleasant, relaxing state. But you can also die from Percocet overdose or cause alcohol poisoning? More here on the harms of mixing Percocet with alcohol and how to avoid them.

3
minute read

Thinking about mixing Percocet, an addictive drug, with alcohol?

Know what can happen. In this article, we’ll examine the risks and dangers of mixing Percocet with alcohol. What happens inside your body when these two drugs are combined? What are the side effects, and what can go wrong when these two powerful substances interact? Then, we invite you to ask questions about mixing Percocet and alcohol in the comments section at the end.

Percocet and alcohol effects

Percocet is a prescription pain medication containing oxycodone, a narcotic. Oxycodone can cause feelings of euphoria, especially when taken in large amounts. Alcohol can intensify this effect. Alcohol has a chemical reaction with Percocet in the body and has an additive effect in the body when they are combined. That means that the effects of the alcohol and Percocet are both stronger when mixed. People have reported some of the following side effects when mixing Percocet with alcohol:

  • drowsiness
  • euphoria
  • dream-like state
  • relaxation
  • numbness
  • wandering mind

Dangers of mixing Percocet and alcohol

Taking alcohol and Percocet together can result in serious adverse reactions including accidental overdose. The additive effects of alcohol and Percocet are the primary cause of this. Percocet isn’t the only half of this equation. The effects of the alcohol are intensified as well. The sedative effects of alcohol will be heightened when mixed with any opiate medication. Other potentially dangerous effects of mixing Percocet with alcohol include:

  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • loss of consciousness
  • shallow breathing
  • impaired coordination
  • overdose
  • slowed heart rate

If you mix Percocet with alcohol, your alcohol tolerance will be lower than normal because the oxycodone in Percocet is another kind of central nervous system depressant. This can easily lead to alcohol poisoning if you aren’t careful. Drinking and using Percocet can also cause trouble concentrating and difficulty with coordination. In fact, you’re more likely to be involved in an accident or injure yourself when you mix alcohol with Percocet.

Percocet and alcohol overdose

Can you OD on Percocet?  Yes.  In fact, it’s easier to overdose on Percocet when you mix it with alcohol. Both drugs make one another stronger, and also more dangerous. Doctors do not recommend mixing the two drugs. Sometimes it can be dangerous to take Percocet and drink on the same day, even hours apart, depending on how much you’ve had.

Percocet and alcohol deaths

You can find out how many people die each year when mixing alcohol and Percocet by searching the CDC – National Center for Health Statistics website. And despite the number of annual deaths, Percocet commonly ends up being mixed with alcohol. Even normal doses of Percocet combined with alcohol can cause your breathing to slow or stop completely. The only way to avoid the risk of death while on Percocet is to decide not to drink at all while taking drugs with oxycodone in them.

Is it safe to drink on Percocet?

No. It’s not safe to mix Percocet and alcohol. The combination brings out the worst in both drugs. It’s best to wait until Percocet is out of your system fully before drinking.  And while Percocet system time is more than its half life of 3.2 hours, waiting for at least 6-8 hours before drinking can ensure that you are not mixing Percocet with booze.  You should ask your doctor for more information on how to cut back or stop drinking completely if you find the idea of giving up drinking too difficult. But you should know that the FDA warns against mixing Percocet with booze at all.

Mixing Percocet alcohol questions

Do you still have questions about mixing Percocet with alcohol or other substances? Please leave your Percocet questions here. We try our best to answer all questions personally, and promptly. And if we don’t know the answer, we will refer you to someone who can help. Your experiences with mixing Percocet and alcohol are also welcome.

Reference Sources: NIAAA pamphlet: Harmful Interactions, Mixing Alcohol with Medicines
Medline Plus: Oxycodone
PubMed: Oxycodone involvement in drug abuse deaths

FDA: Oxycodone hydrochloride oral solution medication guide

DailyMed: Oxycodone drug label
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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