What Does a Percocet High Feel Like?

Getting high on percs can feel relaxing, warm, euphoric, and sleepy. Those effects come mainly from oxycodone, the opioid in Percocet; the medication also contains acetaminophen.1 Percocet is a Schedule II prescription drug used for pain severe enough to require an opioid when other options aren’t enough. The same effects that some people describe as pleasant can also slow breathing and lead to overdose.

Key takeaways:

• The Percocet high can make someone feel euphoric, drowsy, and relaxed
• Taking too much or misusing pills can raise the risk of overdose, especially when taken with alcohol.
• Over time, or with high doses, Percocet can cause liver damage.
• When someone stops using opioids like Percocet abruptly, they may experience withdrawal symptoms.
• Being worried about someone’s use or being unable to quit on your own may mean it’s time to reach out for help.

What does a Percocet high actually feel like?

Percocet contains the opioid medication oxycodone. Opioids work by depressing the nervous system, offering pain relief and relaxation. The same depressant effects can also cause euphoria, or positive emotional feelings.² Opioids can also cause drowsiness. 

Some people feel nauseous, dizzy, itchy, or confused when taking Percocet, especially when combined with other substances/medications or at high doses. Oxycodone can also lead to seizures, hallucinations, or other severe symptoms in some people.³

Opioids can become habit-forming. People often misuse percs and other opioids to numb physical and emotional pain. As they build a tolerance, they need more of the substance to get the same effects, which is a clear sign of a substance use disorder.

What do Percocet pills look like? Common dosages and street names

Percocet pills are often round or oval-shaped. They may be blue, yellow, white, orange, or pink. Legitimate Percocet pills are stamped with the word “Percocet” along with a number, sometimes two.⁴ The numbers indicate the dosage of oxycodone and acetaminophen. If only one number is present, it represents the oxycodone content. 

Percocet pills are often called “percs.” Sometimes, people call them “perc 10” or “perc 5” depending on the dose. Oxycodone pills (“oxys”) are sometimes referred to as “percs,” “perks,” or “perkys,” and may have different dosages associated with them. Common dosages of Percocet include:

• 325 mg acetaminophen/5 mg oxycodone
• 325 mg acetaminophen/10 mg oxycodone
• 650 mg acetaminophen/10 mg oxycodone
• 325 mg acetaminophen/7.5 mg oxycodone
• 500 mg acetaminophen/7.5 mg oxycodone
• 325 mg acetaminophen/2.5 mg oxycodone

Counterfeit opioids are a real concern, especially if someone is struggling with prescription drug abuse. If their prescription has run out or they are seeking a higher dose, they may try to find percs from an illegitimate dealer. These pills may or may not be stamped, or they may come in different colors from legitimate Percocet pills. Fake percs may contain inaccurate doses of opioids or other contaminants, including fentanyl, which can be life-threatening. 

Percocet vs. oxycodone, hydrocodone, and Vicodin: What’s the difference?

Percocet contains oxycodone and acetaminophen. Oxycodone is sometimes prescribed on its own as OxyContin or a generic equivalent. Hydrocodone is a different opioid medication entirely, but it works in similar ways. Vicodin is another opioid medication; it combines hydrocodone with acetaminophen. 

All opioid medications can be habit-forming, and most have similar side effects. One is not necessarily safer than the other, especially if someone has a high tolerance and is struggling with their use. 

Percocet vs. oxycodone vs. hydrocodone/Vicodin

The side effects of Percocet abuse

Percocet side effects can occur even when the medicine is taken as prescribed, and the risk rises when it is misused.¹ Common effects include:

• Drowsiness or sedation
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Nausea or vomiting
• Constipation
• Itching or sweating
• Headache and changes in mood

Serious reactions include very slow or shallow breathing, extreme sleepiness, confusion, fainting, low blood pressure, seizures, or an allergic reaction. Acetaminophen adds a separate risk: taking too much, including through more than one acetaminophen-containing product, can cause severe liver injury.⁵

Does Percocet make you sleepy? Yes. Sleepiness is a known opioid effect. Mild drowsiness still makes driving unsafe. Extreme sleepiness and “nodding off,” which is when someone drifts in and out of consciousness, may be signs of overdose. If you suspect an opioid overdose, call 911 and administer Narcan (an opioid overdose reversal medication) if you have it. 

Percocet overdose symptoms

Taking too large of a dose that someone can’t tolerate turns a Percocet high into an overdose. Common symptoms of overdose include:

• Bluish/grayish, cold, or clammy skin
• Pinpoint pupils
• Slow heartbeat
• Shallow or irregular breathing, or snoring/gurgling noises coming from their mouth 
• Nodding off and/or unresponsiveness
• Vomiting

Roll them onto their side (to avoid choking) and call 911 if you think someone is experiencing an overdose. If you know or believe it to be an opioid overdose, give them Narcan and wait for emergency personnel. They may need additional doses of Narcan or other life-saving treatment from first responders, so never rely on Narcan alone. 

Percocet withdrawal symptoms

Someone can become physically dependent on Percocet when their body adapts to repeated opioid exposure. If they suddenly stop or reduce Percocet use too quickly, they will likely experience withdrawal symptoms, which may include:

• Anxiety, restlessness, or irritability
• Sweating, chills, runny nose, or yawning
• Muscle, bone, or joint aches
• Stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• Insomnia and cravings

Symptoms may begin after the last dose wears off, become more intense over the early part of withdrawal, and then ease gradually. Everyone’s experience with opioid withdrawal is different. Dose, duration of use, health, and other substance use all affect withdrawal severity and the timeline. Seeking professional help through opioid detox and/or residential treatment may be the safest way to enter recovery. 

When Percocet use becomes addiction and what to do next

Opioid addiction treatment may be worth discussing when Percocet use begins to feel difficult to control. Addiction involves continued use despite harm, loss of control, or giving drug use priority over responsibilities and relationships. 

You may notice yourself or a loved one taking more than intended, using someone else’s prescription, trying unsuccessfully to cut back, spending substantial time seeking or recovering from a Percocet high, cravings, or continuing despite health, work, financial, or relationship problems. While noticing the signs of Percocet abuse is important for seeking help, only a licensed clinician can provide an accurate diagnosis.

Beaches Recovery offers medical detox programs and individualized treatment options in Jacksonville Beach. Care may include residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, and outpatient services, along with trauma therapy, nutrition and wellness support, fitness and experiential therapies, support groups, and dual diagnosis treatment for co-occurring mental health needs. We also offer support for those struggling with polysubstance use, like Percocet and alcohol abuse.

Get help now with addiction treatment at Beaches Recovery

You do not need to wait for an overdose or a crisis before asking what support is available.

Beaches Recovery offers opiate addiction rehab in Jacksonville Beach, Florida, with individualized care across detox and treatment. To discuss options confidentially, call 866.605.0532 or contact Beaches Recovery online. 

Sources:

1. Drugs.com, Percocet, Accessed September 2026.
2. National Institute on Drug Abuse, Opioids, Accessed September 2026.
3. MedlinePlus, Oxycodone, Accessed September 2026.
4. Drugs.com, Percocet pill images, Accessed September 2026.
5. LiverTox, Acetaminophen, Accessed September 2026.