What happens when you snort Percocet?

When you snort Percoet, you speed onset of oxycodone in the brain. Is snorting Percocet bad for you? We review here.

4
minute read

When you snort Percocet

People who snort Percocet (oxycodone) usually do so because they want to relieve pain faster. In fact, this may be true: onset of action is significantly shorter when you snort Percocet (oxycodone) than taking the drug normally. But while you are snorting Percocet, you potentially increase your Percocet tolerance. Additionally, the body develops Percocet physical dependence, or physical dependence on oxycodone, and becomes increasingly in need of Percocet for the body to function.

Read more here to learn what does Percocet do to the body and the dangers that come with snorting oxycodone. Plus, a section for your questions about Percocet at the end.

What does snorting Percocet do?

When you snort Percocet, you crush the tablet into a powder and snort it through the nose. When you snort Percocet, the absorption rate into the body is significantly faster than when you take Percocet orally. The oxycodone in the Percocet is concentrated, absorbed into the mucous membranes of the nasal tissues and works almost instantaneous. This concentrated dose of oxycodone passes the blood-brain barrier much faster than an oral Percocet dose because Percocet doesn’t have to go through the GI tract in order to enter the bloodstream. Therefore, it only take about 2-4 minutes before you feel the effects of Percocet when snorted. But what happens next?

Once Percocet has reached the brain, oxycodone attaches to the opioid receptors in the central nervous system. This is how Percocet helps mitigate any pain you are feeling, by changing the way that you perceive of pain. This is also what gets you high. Percocet is concentrated on these receptors, activating the pleasure center of the brain. Your body can feel extremely relaxed and pleasant while you are no longer feeling any pain as well. However, concentrated exposure to oxycodone increases your risk of adverse effects and overdose.

Is snorting Percocet bad for you?

There is a reason the Percocet is prescribed as it is. On any label for Percocet you will notice that it advises against chewing, crushing, or snorting Percocet. Percocet is coated because it is meant to be digested and distributed to the opioid receptors slowly. So, in short: yes, snorting Percocet is bad for you. There are several adverse and negative effects snorting Percocet can cause. They can include:

  • cardiac arrest
  • coma or unconsciousness
  • death
  • dilated pupils
  • dizziness
  • nausea/vomiting
  • overdose
  • slow heart rate

Is snorting Percocet dangerous?

Yes, snorting Percocet can be dangerous. You can severely damage your nasal cavities, even killing your sense of smell. When you snort Percocet, you also produce negative side effect because of the concentrated level of Percocet in the body. The body has a hard time absorbing that much Percocet into the body and the opioid receptors get flooded. When this happens, you run the risk of overdose. Overdose is a process by which your body is experiencing Percocet poisoning. In response, the body works hard to get rid of oxycodone from the body. Listed below are typical signs of an opiate overdose.

  • bluish skin
  • dizziness
  • drowsiness
  • loss of consciousness
  • respiratory arrest
  • seizures
  • shallow labored breathing
  • sweating
  • vomiting

Furthermore, because Percocet works so well people who snort Percocet run the risk of developing an addiction. Why? Because you are more likely to get high when you snort Percocet. If you seek Percocet for euphoria, you will become addicted to Percocet over time. This route of administration increases your risk of Percocet addiction.

Is snorting Percocet effective?

Yes. Snorting Percocet is effective. Snorting Percocet works to both relieve pain and induce euphoria. Plus, snorted Percocet takes less time and works faster to produce effect. But, snorted Percocet also wears off sooner. And while snorting Percocet delivers analgesic effects quickly, this doesn’t mean it’s better. You are likely to feel the pain return sooner than you would normally, forcing you to go through more Percocet in a day then is clinically recommended.

Can you snort Percocet?

Can you snort Percocet? Yes. Should you? No. Doctors prescribe Percocet orally for purposes of safety and to limit the amount of Percocet concentrated into the body. Labels warn against snorting Percocet because they know the risk involved. Nor should you be snorting Percocet all of the time. The more you continue to snort Percocet, the more you increases ricking negative reactions even to the point of liver failure, overdose, and death. Overall the risk and dangers outweigh any potential benefits and ability snorting Percocet has on the body. Please consider not snorting Percocet to treat your pain or to use Percocet recreationally. Or at the least, understand the risks that are involved and if you are going to snort Percocet, snort less than you would take orally.

When you snort Percocet questions

Do you know someone who is snorting Percocet? Then they may be addicted to Percocet and may need to seek out treatment. Look for the signs of addiction and whether or not they need to withdrawal or seek out a treatment facility. And if you still have questions concerning snorting Percocet, ask us below.  Any questions you have will receive a personal and prompt response.

Resources: Medline Plus: Hydrocodone/oxycodone overdose
FDA: Oxycodone (controlled release)
NCBI: Oxycodone abuse in New York City: Characteristics of intravenous and intranasal users
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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