Fentanyl and Percocet are opioids that primarily differ in terms of chemical composition and potency. Fentanyl is a single-entity drug, whereas Percocet is a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. As the most potent opioid, fentanyl is prescribed for severe pain, whereas Percocet is used to control moderate-to-severe pain.
This article will compare fentanyl vs. Percocet effectiveness, addictiveness, cost, and more to help you better understand the main similarities and differences between these opioid medications.
What Is Fentanyl, and How Does it Work?
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid prescribed to treat severe pain that is also sometimes used for anesthesia. It stands out from other opioids due to its exceptional potency; fentanyl is roughly 100 times more potent than morphine.
Fentanyl comes in several forms, with the most common ones being:
- Injection (Sublimaze®)
- Sublingual spray (Subsys®)
- Transdermal patch (Duragesic®)
- Oral transmucosal lozenge (Actiq®)
- Buccal and sublingual tablets (Fentora® and Abstral®, respectively)
Although fentanyl is only available by prescription, it has made its way to the streets in recent years, becoming one of the most dangerous and deadliest drugs. Some of its street names include TNT, Dance Fever, and Murder 8. It is also often used to lace other illicit drugs, including counterfeit oxycodone, which tremendously increases the risk of overdose.
Fentanyl works by interacting with the opioid receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS), thereby blocking pain signals and altering the perception of pain. It can also cause euphoria and sedation by stimulating dopamine release, which may prompt some people to misuse it.
Fentanyl is as powerful as it is dangerous; even a tiny dose can be potent enough to cause a fatal fentanyl overdose. For this reason, you should take it strictly as prescribed.
What Is Percocet, and How Does It Work?
Percocet is a pain medication consisting of acetaminophen and oxycodone that is prescribed to manage moderate-to-severe pain. It is a tablet containing 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7 mg, or 10 mg of oxycodone and 325 mg of acetaminophen.
Generic acetaminophen/oxycodone also comes as an oral liquid. This drug combination is also marketed under other brands, such as Endocet®. Percocet is known as Percs, Paulas, and Blue Dynamite on the streets.
Percocet works by attaching to the same opioid receptors as fentanyl, preventing pain signals from reaching the brain. It can also induce feelings of euphoria and deep relaxation.
Opioid abuse, such as taking Percocet in higher doses than prescribed or mixing it with other substances, significantly increases the risk of opioid overdose. Although taking it as prescribed reduces the risk of abuse, dependence, and addiction, it doesn’t eliminate it, which is why you should only use it for pain that cannot be managed with non-opioid painkillers.
Now that you’re more familiar with both drugs let’s compare fentanyl vs. Percocet’s effectiveness, chemical composition, and more.
Key Differences Between Fentanyl vs. Percocet
The key difference between fentanyl vs. Percocet is potency. Compared to fentanyl, Percocet is much less potent. However, it doesn’t make it any safer. Anyone taking fentanyl or Percocet can become dependent, including those who take it as prescribed.
Here’s how fentanyl vs. Percocet compare in terms of effectiveness, chemical composition, addictiveness, and cost:
Fentanyl vs. Percocet Effectiveness
While there are no studies on fentanyl vs. Percocet effectiveness, several studies comparing fentanyl vs. oxycodone suggest that the latter is more effective despite being significantly less potent.
For example, a randomized controlled trial by researchers from Kyung Hee University reveals that a single bolus injection of oxycodone provides better pain relief in the acute phase of postoperative pain after total hip replacement than intravenous fentanyl.
Similarly, a study by Zhen Ding et al. found that oxycodone provides better postoperative pain relief after gastric laparotomy than fentanyl.
Since acetaminophen enhances the pain-relieving effects of oxycodone, it’s safe to say that oxycodone is more effective than fentanyl in controlling pain.
Fentanyl vs. Percocet Chemical Composition
In terms of chemical composition, fentanyl vs. Percocet have several differences. Although both are full opioid agonists, meaning they activate opioid receptors fully and produce intense effects, fentanyl is a single-entity drug, whereas Percocet is a combination medication. Moreover, these opioids are derived differently.
Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, meaning it is fully human-made. Meanwhile, Percocet contains a non-opioid ingredient (acetaminophen) and oxycodone, a semi-synthetic opioid derived from thebaine.
Moreover, as a phenanthrene derivative, oxycodone is structurally related to morphine. By contrast, fentanyl is classified as a phenylpiperidine and, therefore, doesn’t structurally resemble morphine.
Fentanyl vs. Percocet Addictiveness
Fentanyl and Percocet are very similar in terms of addictiveness. Both are treated as Schedule II controlled substances due to the high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction.
Nonetheless, fentanyl may lead to dependence and addiction even faster than Percocet, especially if abused. This is because it is exceptionally potent and extremely fast-acting; it exerts effects in mere minutes.
Fentanyl vs. Percocet Cost
The cost of fentanyl vs. Percocet varies depending on the drug’s formulation, dosage, and other factors. If you’re cost-conscious, your best bet is to opt for generic versions of either of them, as these are cheaper and may be covered by insurance.
To give you a broad idea, a 325 mg/5 mg Percocet tablet costs around $28, whereas generic acetaminophen/oxycodone of the same strength costs as little as $0.17 per tablet.
By contrast, a single generic 100 mcg fentanyl buccal tablet costs roughly $49. The same tablet may cost upwards of $80 if marketed under the brand name Fentora®.
Next, let’s explore fentanyl vs. Percocet side effects.
Fentanyl vs. Percocet Side Effects
As opioids, fentanyl and Percocet can cause similar side effects, such as:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Headache
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Constipation
Furthermore, a study conducted by Jae Chul Koh et al. suggests that intravenous oxycodone achieves better pain relief than intravenous fentanyl with fewer side effects. The rates of nausea, in particular, were significantly higher among patients who were administered intravenous fentanyl. Fentanyl is also more likely to cause severe sedation.
Meanwhile, prolonged use of fentanyl or Percocet can lead to:
- Tolerance
- Opioid dependence
- Opioid use disorder (OUD)
- Fertility problems
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic constipation
- Respiratory depression
- Heart, liver, kidney, and other organ damage
- Opioid overdose
- Death
Moreover, opioid abuse—including mixing opioids with other substances—dramatically increases the risk of side effects and life-threatening adverse reactions, such as liver injury, overdose, and death.
On this note, let’s discuss fentanyl vs. Percocet drug interactions.
Fentanyl and Percocet Drug Interactions
Fentanyl and Percocet share many drug interactions, including with:
- Alcohol
- Other opioids
- Antihistamines
- Muscle relaxers
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety medications
- Sedatives, such as benzodiazepines and barbiturates
Moreover, you should not take Percocet with other acetaminophen-containing drugs. Since it contains not only oxycodone but also acetaminophen, this enhances the risk of acetaminophen toxicity and can damage your liver.
Never combine fentanyl or Percocet with any substance without your doctor’s approval, as this may increase the risk of side effects. It can also lead to respiratory depression, opioid toxicity, overdose, and other serious adverse events that may require immediate medical care. Even herbal medicines, such as St. John’s wort, may interact with opioid medications.
Other Risk Factors of Fentanyl and Percocet
Some medical conditions that may increase the risks associated with fentanyl and Percocet use include:
- Head injury
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid disorders
- Low blood pressure
- Gallbladder disease
- Cardiovascular problems
- Allergy to opioids or acetaminophen
- Substance use disorders (SUDs), including alcohol use disorder (AUD)
Whether you’re considering taking fentanyl or Percocet, it is crucial to discuss your medical history with your doctor before initiating opioid therapy. Due to its extremely high potency, fentanyl is generally not recommended for patients with little to no opioid tolerance.
Furthermore, opioids like fentanyl and Percocet may not be suitable for those who are pregnant or nursing. Consult with your doctor to find the best course of action if you are planning on having a baby while taking either of these medications.
Physical Dependence and Addiction to Opioids
Fentanyl and Percocet can lead to physical dependence and addiction to opioids, especially when taken for a prolonged time. This is because repeated opioid exposure causes the brain to stop producing endorphins and create more opioid receptors, leading to dependence.
Opioid dependence is physical; however, if left untreated, it can develop into an opioid addiction, which is primarily psychological. People addicted to opioids can’t stop taking them, even when their drug use takes a toll on their relationships, careers, mental health, and physical well-being.
For this reason, it’s vital to seek professional help as soon as you suspect that you or a loved one might’ve become dependent on opioids.
Signs and Symptoms of Opioid Dependence
You can recognize opioid dependence from two signs: tolerance and opioid withdrawal symptoms.
Here’s how they manifest:
- Tolerance. Although highly effective, both fentanyl and Percocet lose effectiveness when taken for an extended time due to the increasing number of opioid receptors. This means that eventually, you won’t feel their effects without increasing the dosage. Sadly, tolerance often starts the vicious cycle of opioid abuse.
- Opioid withdrawal symptoms. If you quit taking opioids after becoming addicted to them, you’ll experience flu-like symptoms, sleep disturbances, vomiting, cravings, and other withdrawal symptoms. Since these symptoms are often very uncomfortable and even painful, they are precisely what keeps people from quitting opioids.
If this sounds like you or someone you know, worry not—both opioid dependence and addiction are treatable. Finding the right opioid addiction treatment is key to overcoming them safely, quickly, and effectively.
ANR Opioid Dependence Treatment
Accelerated Neuro-Regulation (ANR) is an innovative opioid dependence treatment developed by Dr. Andre Waismann. It has helped close to 25,000 people worldwide end the cycle of opioid abuse and dependence.
As the first and so far only treatment that addresses the root cause of opioid dependence, ANR works by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system and has an unmatched success rate. Since it restores the brain to its pre-addiction state, ANR treatment eradicates opioid dependence together with withdrawal symptoms. As such, it negates the risk of relapse.
While other opioid treatment programs take weeks, months, or even years and still lead to relapse, ANR achieves lasting results in a very short time. The average hospital stay for ANR patients lasts only 36 hours!
Besides effectiveness and speed, ANR offers many other advantages, with the most important of them being safety.
ANR is scientifically proven to be very safe and can be performed even on those with co-occurring medical conditions, as the procedure is tailored to each patient individually. Moreover, the treatment is carried out by a team of highly experienced and compassionate medical professionals in an ICU setting of accredited hospitals with state-of-the-art equipment.
To learn more about ANR, contact us today for a free, 100% confidential consultation.
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of the key things you should remember about fentanyl vs. Percocet:
- Fentanyl and Percocet are powerful opioid pain medications that have a high potential for abuse, dependence, and addiction. While Percocet comes as a tablet, fentanyl is available in different forms.
- Fentanyl is more potent than Percocet, but the latter is more effective in controlling postoperative pain and has milder sedative effects.
- Although fentanyl and Percocet cause similar side effects, fentanyl is more likely to make you nauseous.
- ANR can help you conquer fentanyl or Percocet dependence by re-regulating the endorphin-receptor system, facilitating a lasting recovery, and enabling you to enjoy a life without the fear of relapse.
Fentanyl vs. Percocet FAQ
Fentanyl and Percocet should never be taken together due to the risk of opioid overdose, which can be fatal. Moreover, mixing opioids may exacerbate side effects and lead to adverse reactions, such as respiratory depression. It also makes you more likely to develop opioid dependence and addiction.
Your doctor can help you stop using fentanyl safely by creating a tapering schedule. However, opioid tapering is a long process. If you’ve developed fentanyl dependence, you may experience cravings and other withdrawal symptoms even after weaning off the medication. ANR is the fastest and safest way to overcome fentanyl dependence and forget about cravings.
Percocet and fentanyl are not the same thing, even though both medications are classified as opioids. Percocet is a combination medication (acetaminophen/oxycodone), whereas fentanyl is a single-entity drug. Moreover, Percocet vs. fentanyl differ significantly in terms of potency, with fentanyl being considerably more potent.
Percocet is not the same as oxycodone. Oxycodone is one of the active ingredients in Percocet, which also contains acetaminophen and, therefore, tends to be more effective but may cause more extensive side effects. Another difference between oxycodone and Percocet is that oxycodone also comes in an extended-release formulation (OxyContin®).
Fentanyl is the strongest prescription painkiller. It is considered the most potent opioid. While it is considered to be around 50 times more potent than heroin, illicit fentanyl can be even more potent, making it all the more dangerous.
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