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The following information should be provided to patients receiving PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets by their physician, nurse, pharmacist, or caregiver:

1. Patients should be aware that PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets contain oxycodone, which is a morphine-like substance.
2. Patients should be instructed to keep PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets in a secure place out of the reach of children. In the case of accidental ingestions, emergency medical care should be sought immediately.
3. When PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets are no longer needed, the unused tablets should be destroyed by flushing down the toilet.
4. Patients should be advised not to adjust the medication dose themselves. Instead, they must consult with their prescribing physician.
5. Patients should be advised that PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets may impair mental and/or physical ability required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks (e.g., driving, operating heavy machinery).
6. Patients should not combine PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets with alcohol, opioid analgesics, tranquilizers, sedatives, or other CNS depressants unless under the recommendation and guidance of a physician. When co-administered with another CNS depressant, PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets can cause dangerous additive central nervous system or respiratory depression, which can result in serious injury or death.
7. The safe use of PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets during pregnancy has not been established; thus, women who are planning to become pregnant or are pregnant should consult with their physician before taking PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets.
8. Nursing mothers should consult with their physicians about whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets because of the potential for serious adverse reactions to nursing infants.
9. Patients who are treated with PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets for more than a few weeks should be advised not to abruptly discontinue the medication. Patients should consult with their physician for a gradual discontinuation dose schedule to taper off the medication.
10. Patients should be advised that PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets are a potential drug of abuse. They should protect it from theft, and it should never be given to anyone other than the individual for whom it was prescribed.
11. Patients should be advised that PERCODAN (aspirin and oxycodone hydrochloride) tablets may cause or worsen constipation, as generally occurs with all opioids. They should discuss any past history of constipation with their prescribing physician so a management plan may be initiated.

Last reviewed on RxList: 8/12/2010
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.