home > drugs a-z list > percodan (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) drug center > percodan (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) drug - consumer side effects and precautions

To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

To prevent constipation, maintain a diet adequate in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise. Consult your pharmacist for help in selecting a laxative (such as a stimulant type with stool softener).

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: slow/shallow breathing, fainting, slow/fast/irregular heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as depression, hallucinations), difficult/painful urination, ringing in the ears, decreased hearing, vision changes, easy bruising/bleeding.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: stomach/abdominal pain, black stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, persistent tiredness, persistent nausea, change in the amount of urine, seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

PRECAUTIONS: Before taking oxycodone with aspirin, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other narcotics (such as codeine, hydrocodone), salicylates (such as salsalate), or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: intestinal/bowel disorders (such as paralytic ileus, infectious diarrhea, colitis, blockage), kidney disease, liver disease, bleeding/blood-clotting disorders (such as hemophilia, vitamin K deficiency, low platelet count), stomach problems (such as ulcers, heartburn, stomach pain), diabetes, gout, lung diseases (such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), breathing problems (such as slow/shallow breathing, sleep apnea), growths in the nose (nasal polyps), a certain spinal problem (kyphoscoliosis), certain heart problems (such as low blood pressure, irregular heartbeat), personal or family history of regular use/abuse of drugs/alcohol/other substances, brain disorders (such as seizures, head injury, tumor, increased intracranial pressure), underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), difficulty urinating (for example, due to enlarged prostate or narrowed urethra), disease of the pancreas (such as pancreatitis), mental/mood disorders (such as toxic psychosis), gallbladder disease, adrenal gland problem (such as Addison's disease), certain enzyme deficiencies (pyruvate kinase or G6PD deficiency).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol and tobacco, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding. Limit alcohol and stop smoking. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially slow/shallow breathing, drowsiness, or stomach bleeding.

This product contains aspirin. Children and teenagers should not take aspirin if they have chickenpox, flu, or any undiagnosed illness, or if they have recently received a vaccine. In these cases, taking aspirin increases the risk of Reye's syndrome, a rare but serious illness.

This medication is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor if you are or think you may be pregnant. Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant while taking this medication. Do not use this medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy because of possible harm to the unborn baby or problems during delivery. Infants born to mothers who have used oxycodone for a long time may have withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn.

This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.