Percocet is a brand-name medication containing oxycodone 5 mg and acetaminophen 325 mg. People who produce and sell drugs illegally sometimes manufacture counterfeit Percocet pills, so it can be helpful to know how to identify the medication to ensure it is safe to use.
- Percocet 5 has identifiable imprints on one side and is scored down the middle on the other side.
- Counterfeit pills are made to look like legitimate medications but tend to have small differences in their appearance when compared.
- Counterfeit Percocet pills should not be taken as they can cause unknown risks.
What is Percocet 5?
Percocet 5 is a tablet containing 5 mg of oxycodone, an opioid analgesic, and 325 mg of acetaminophen, a non-opioid pain reliever. Percocet is a brand name for this medication and is manufactured by Endo Pharmaceuticals, who produce other strengths of Percocet pills containing oxycodone and acetaminophen. [1]
- Strength: 5 mg oxycodone / 325 mg acetaminophen
- Color: Blue
- Shape: Round tablet
- Imprint: “PERCOCET” around the edge with “5” in the center (one side)
- Scoring: Scored line through the middle on the opposite side
- Manufacturer: Endo Pharmaceuticals
Other versions of this combination and strength of medications are available, including brand-name and generic versions.
Guide to identifying Percocet 5 pills
Percocet 5 pills are blue and round, with one side imprinted with ‘PERCOCET’ around the edge and ‘5’ in the middle, and the other side scored through the middle. These pills, and other strengths of Percocet pills, are produced by Endo Pharmaceuticals. [1][2]
Generic pills with the same content (5 mg oxycodone and 325 mg acetaminophen) are white, round, and imprinted with ‘512’ on one side and scored down the middle on the other. [2]
Other branded medications with the same medication content may be available, and some have been discontinued. Roxicet and Endocet are discontinued. Roxicet is a round, white pill imprinted with ‘54 543’ on one side, and Endocet is a white, round pill imprinted with ‘Endo 602’ on one side. These tablets are no longer on the market and should be reported if encountered.
How to spot counterfeit Percocet 5 pills
People who are prescribed Percocet can check their medication to help identify counterfeit pills. For example: [3]
- Is the packaging intact?
- Does the packaging look the same as usual?
- Does the pill match the description above and look the same as you usually receive?
- After taking the medication, do you notice unusual or unexpected side effects?
- Was the medication provided by an approved pharmacy?
If any of the above highlight any concerns or questions about the legitimacy of your medication, there is a chance that it could be counterfeit. You can also look online for images of the medication to compare the appearance and look for any noticeable differences.
Risks of counterfeit and mislabeled pills
Counterfeit pills can cause many risks if used, as they may contain too much or too little of the ingredient or contain other harmful substances. This can lead to unmanaged symptoms if someone is prescribed medication and takes a counterfeit pill that contains less (or even none) of the medication than needed. It could also lead to overdose risks if a pill is administered that contains too much of the medication or an unknown, harmful substance. [3][4]
Many counterfeit pills seized by the Drug Enforcement Administration contain dangerous substances such as fentanyl, a potent opioid. Fentanyl is cheap to produce and is added to counterfeit pills to increase profits. Taking a counterfeit pill that contains fentanyl can cause a high risk of dangerous or even fatal overdose. [4]
If you suspect that your pills are counterfeit, do not take them and report them to the FDA.
