The Dangers of Snorting Percocet

Percocet is a prescription painkiller that contains oxycodone and acetaminophen.[1] Oxycodone is an opioid, while acetaminophen is a pain reliever and fever reducer. Doctors prescribe Percocet to treat moderate to severe pain after injuries, surgery, and among individuals with chronic pain conditions.[2]

While Percocet has legitimate medicinal uses, it can lead to mind-altering effects. As an opioid, it is a central nervous system depressant that can cause side effects like euphoria and relaxation. Since Percocet can cause a high, many people abuse it and eventually develop an addiction.

As your addiction to Percocet develops, you will gain a tolerance. This means the effects of the drug will feel less potent over time. As a result, you might be tempted to begin snorting it to increase the effects you experience.

Snorting Percocet comes with a set of risks and dangers. You could damage your nasal passages, experience throat and lung damage, suffer from an overdose, or begin abusing more potent drugs like heroin.

In this article, you will learn:

• Why people snort Percocet
• The side effects and risks
• Where to find help

Can You Snort Percocet?

Yes, it is possible to snort Percocet. Snorting it involves crushing the pill into a fine powder. Snorting a substance causes the drug to enter your bloodstream immediately. The effects will begin almost instantaneously.

Unfortunately, snorting any drug increases the risk of developing physical dependence, experiencing adverse health effects, and suffering from an overdose.

Prescription opioids like Percocet are not meant to be snorted. They are created to be swallowed, which allows the drug to travel through your gastrointestinal system before entering your bloodstream. By snorting it, the euphoric effects will come on more quickly and increase your risk of addiction.

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What are the Effects of Snorting Oxycodone?

Snorting Percocet or oxycodone does not change the effects you will experience. It only makes them more potent initially. This means you will still feel the same side effects as if you swallowed the pill.

The effects of snorting oxycodone include:[3]

• A rush of euphoria
• Dizziness and drowsiness
• Feelings of relaxation
• Pain relief
• Dry mouth
• Stomach pain
• Pinpointed pupils
• Itchy skin
• Flushing
• Headaches
• Mood changes

If you snort Percocet repeatedly, you will develop opioid addiction. Long-term opioid addiction can lead to health problems, including withdrawal symptoms if you suddenly stop using it. As a result, you should always seek help from a prescription drug rehab program to achieve sobriety and avoid health complications.

The Risks of Snorting Percocet

If you are addicted to Percocet, you might feel tempted to begin snorting it. This is a common issue among people who have developed a tolerance for prescription opioid drugs. While snorting oxycodone could get you higher, it comes with a long list of health risks.

The dangers of snorting Percocet include:

Nasal Issues

Your nasal passages have thin and delicate tissue, so snorting any drug can lead to damage. The pieces of the pill can rub against this tissue, creating small tears and leaving you susceptible to infections.

Other nasal problems you could develop from snorting oxycodone include:

• Nasal crusting
• Frequent nosebleeds
• Facial pain and swelling
• Constant runny nose
• Septal perforation

Throat and Lung Damage

Your nasal passages connect to your throat. Snorting Percocet can lead to throat damage. You could develop infections in your throat from small abrasions and experience hoarseness when talking.

The Percocet will travel from your throat and into your lungs. As a result, you could experience lung inflammation and asthma. You could also develop hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a rare lung condition caused by snorting drugs and experiencing chronic inflammation.[4]

Overdose

When you are snorting a drug like oxycodone, it can be difficult to manage the dose you are consuming. It’s nearly impossible to look at crushed-up pills and tell how many are present. As a result of this, you could take too much Percocet and experience an overdose.

The symptoms of an oxycodone overdose may include:[5]

• Loss of consciousness and not responding to stimuli
• Limpness of the body
• Slowed or stopped breathing
• Decreased heart rate
• Pinpointed pupils
• Choking or gurgling noises
• Blue lips and fingernails
• Coma and death

If you think someone is overdosing on Percocet, you should call 911 immediately.

Turning to Other Drugs

Over time, you will develop a tolerance for snorting Percocet. Once it is no longer causing an intense high, you are likely to begin abusing more potent drugs like heroin. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), “nearly 80 percent of heroin users reported using prescription opioids before heroin.”[6]

Find Help for Percocet Abuse and Addiction

If you or a loved one suffers from Percocet addiction, it’s time to seek professional help. Drug addiction treatment centers can offer you the tools and support you need to achieve long-term recovery. At the Mandala Healing Center, we use evidence-based and individualized treatment services.

Contact us today to learn more about our oxycodone addiction treatment program.

References:

1. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA): Percocet Label
2. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): About Prescription Opioids
3. Medline Plus: Oxycodone
4. American Lung Association: Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis
5. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Oxycodone
6. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA): Prescription opioid use is a risk factor for heroin use