Percocet is a prescription pain medication that contains a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. It comes in tablet form and is used to treat moderate to severe pain. Percocet tablets are typically white, round, and imprinted with markings unique to the dosage strength.
What is Percocet?
Percocet contains two active ingredients – oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is an opioid pain reliever that works by binding to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord to block pain signals. Acetaminophen is a less potent pain reliever that also helps reduce fever.
Together, these two medications provide a synergistic pain-relieving effect. Percocet comes in various strengths, with oxycodone dosages ranging from 2.5 mg to 10 mg per tablet. The amount of acetaminophen is fixed at 325 mg per tablet for all strengths.
Some common brand name and generic versions of Percocet include:
- Percocet
- Roxicet
- Endocet
- Oxycet
- Xylocaine
Percocet is prescribed for the management of moderate to severe acute and chronic pain that is severe enough to require an opioid analgesic. It is often used before and after surgical procedures and to treat pain from injuries, arthritis, cancer, and other health conditions.
What do Percocet tablets look like?
Authentic Percocet tablets are oval or round-shaped and white in color. They come imprinted with the dosage strength, usually 2.5/325, 5/325, 7.5/325, or 10/325 (oxycodone mg/acetaminophen mg).
The tablets also have unique imprint codes to identify the manufacturer or distributor. Some examples include:
- PERCOCET 10/325 with imprint IP 203 (an authorized generic made by Mallinckrodt)
- M523 (for 5mg Percocet made by Mallinckrodt)
- V4812 (for 10mg Percocet made by Endo)
- ENDOCET 10/325 (made by Qualitest)
These markings help distinguish authentic Percocet from fake or counterfeit products.
Is yellow Percocet real?
Authentic Percocet manufactured by pharmaceutical companies only comes in white tablet form. Percocet tablets are never yellow in color.
Therefore, any yellow tablets sold on the street as “Percocet” are likely fake or counterfeit pills made to look like oxycodone/acetaminophen. They may contain other drugs, filler ingredients, or potentially dangerous contaminants.
Some key reasons yellow Percocet tablets are fake include:
- No approved Percocet products are yellow – always white
- May be pressed illegally with wrong imprints
- Often contain fentanyl instead of real oxycodone
- Risk of fillers, binders, and toxic contaminants
- No quality control or FDA oversight
Using street drugs sold as Percocet can be extremely dangerous due to the risk of a fentanyl overdose. Fentanyl is an extremely potent synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times stronger than morphine. Even small amounts can lead to overdose and death.
Dangers of fake yellow Percocet
Taking counterfeit yellow Percocet tablets comes with serious health risks, including:
- Fentanyl overdose – Many fake Percocet pills contain illicit fentanyl, which greatly raises overdose risk.
- Inconsistent potency – The amount of fentanyl or other drugs can vary drastically in counterfeits.
- Mixing with other substances – Fake Percocet often contains multiple substances, increasing toxicity.
- No quality control – Illegally manufactured pills may contain contaminants or impurities.
- Adulterants and fillers – Tablets may have any number of non-active binding and bulking agents.
Additionally, taking counterfeit Percocet can lead to dangerous side effects such as severely low blood pressure, respiratory depression, confusion, seizures, coma, and death.
How to identify fake yellow Percocet
Here are some tips for spotting fake yellow Percocet tablets:
- Wrong color – Should always be white, never yellow
- Odd markings – Check for incorrect imprint codes
- Unusual texture – Authentic Percocet is smooth, hard, and uniform
- Strange smell – Real oxycodone has no odor
- Bitter taste – Fentanyl and other synthetics have a bitter, chemical-like taste
- Crumbling easily – Pharmaceutical grade tablets are sturdy and don’t fall apart
The presence of any of these signs indicates the Percocet tablets are likely counterfeit and should not be taken.
What to do if you have fake Percocet
If you suspect you have obtained counterfeit yellow Percocet tablets, stop using them immediately. To stay safe:
- Dispose of fake pills properly by mixing with water and cat litter in a sealed bag before throwing away to prevent unauthorized use.
- Do not flush down toilet or drain which can contaminate water sources.
- Do not take any more of the tablets or other related street drugs obtained from the same source.
- Seek medical help if you took the drugs and are concerned about potential effects or overdose symptoms.
- Report the fake pills to authorities to help prevent distribution.
- Get help for addiction if struggling with opioid dependence.
Only take Percocet and other prescription opioids that are obtained directly from a licensed pharmacist with verification. legitimate oxycodone should always come in white, pharmacy-labeled pill bottles matching the description on the prescription.
Risks of abusing Percocet
When used properly under medical supervision, Percocet can safely and effectively treat pain when other medications are inadequate. However, Percocet still carries risks even when taken as prescribed, including:
- Drowsiness and impaired cognition
- Slowed breathing
- Nausea, vomiting, and constipation
- Itching and rashes
- Headaches and dizziness
- Dependence and addiction
- Overdose and death
These side effects increase when Percocet is abused by:
- Taking more than prescribed or longer than directed
- Taking by alternate routes like snorting or injection
- Using with alcohol, benzodiazepines, or other drugs
- Obtaining without a prescription
- Crushing, melting, or dissolving to defeat extended-release forms
Percocet abuse can easily progress to addiction, especially with regular use. Stopping suddenly can produce painful withdrawal symptoms.
Getting help for Percocet addiction
If you or a loved one are struggling with an addiction to Percocet, help is available. Some evidence-based treatment options may include:
- Medical detox – Gradually tapering Percocet dosage under medical supervision can minimize withdrawal symptoms and drug cravings. Detox usually lasts 5-7 days.
- Inpatient rehab – Residential rehab removes you from the using environment for 1-3 months of intensive counseling, behavioral therapies, 12-step programs, and other treatments while living onsite.
- Outpatient programs – These provide treatment services while allowing you to live at home. Options like partial hospitalization (20-30 hours/week) and standard outpatient counseling (1-2 hours/week) are available.
- Support groups – 12-step programs like Narcotics Anonymous provide peer support and relapse prevention strategies. Online and in-person meetings are available.
- Aftercare – Ongoing services like counseling, case management, and recovery coaching help reinforce long-term sobriety after completing primary treatment.
The most effective treatments combine therapeutic modalities and provide ongoing support. Long-term recovery takes commitment but succeeds one day at a time. With proper treatment, you can take back control of your life from Percocet addiction.
The bottom line
Yellow Percocet tablets sold illicitly are always fake or counterfeit products, often containing fentanyl and other dangerous substances. Their potency, purity, and safety are completely unpredictable. Taking these street drugs puts you at high risk of overdose and other harms.
If you currently use Percocet non-medically or obtained suspicious looking yellow tablets, get help before it’s too late. Legitimate prescription Percocet can still be used safely under medical supervision when needed for pain management. But it’s vital to avoid the dangers of abusing real or fake forms of this powerful opioid medication.
