Oxycodone-Acetaminophen Uses

The combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen is used to treat moderate to severe physical pain. This medication is reserved for acute pain or breakthrough pain that does not respond to non-opioid pain medicine. It is also used to treat chronic pain that requires around-the-clock pain management 

There may be other uses of oxycodone-acetaminophen—your pharmacist or doctor can give you further drug information.

Oxycodone-Acetaminophen Mechanism of Action

Oxycodone is a narcotic (opioid) pain medicine. It binds to opioid receptors in the central nervous system and changes the way the brain responds to pain signals. Acetaminophen is an analgesic and antipyretic. It works by blocking the formation of prostaglandins. Prostaglandins are substances that mediate inflammatory reactions in the body.

Oxycodone-Acetaminophen Doses

Acetaminophen and oxycodone is available in tablet form in the following doses: Acetaminophen 325 mg with oxycodone 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg.

Doctors reserve opioid agonists like oxycodone for pain that cannot be managed with non-opioid medicines. Your provider will prescribe the lowest dose of oxycodone and acetaminophen for the shortest time possible to treat your pain. The usual starting dose is Percocet 2.5 mg/325 mg, one or two tablets every 6 hours as needed to manage pain. The dose may be increased to 1 tablet of 5 mg, 7.5 mg, or 10 mg oxycodone with 325 mg acetaminophen every 6 hours as needed.

The maximum dose of oxycodone and acetaminophen is 12 tablets of the 2.5 mg/325 mg and 5 mg/325 mg dose, 8 tablets of the 7.5 mg/325 mg dose, and 6 tablets of the 10 mg/325 mg dose in 24 hours. The total daily dose of acetaminophen should not be more than 4,000 mg in 24 hours.