Fake Percocet Alert: What Does Percocet Look Like?

February 18, 2021 - Drug Facts - 0 Comments

One of the most popular prescription painkillers being counterfeited right now is Percocet. Percocet is a brand name of a drug that combines oxycodone (opioid) and acetaminophen (antipyretic and analgesic). It also has generic versions also referred to as oxycodone-acetaminophen or Oxycodone/APAP.  The drug affects the brain’s reward center, which can cause you to feel pleasure, relaxation, and euphoria. Because of this, many people use Percocet as a recreational drug to get high. When you take Percocet regularly if you are not legitimately prescribed the drug, this can quickly lead to increased tolerance for the drug and Percocet abuse.

Because of the opioid crisis, it has become more difficult for people addicted to opioids to get their hands on prescription meds like Percocet. People who are desperate to get their fix then try to source their drugs elsewhere like online or on the streets. The danger, however, is that they are also at risk of getting fake medications that were manufactured illegally without following any guidelines or procedures. This could result in adverse health effects.

But, how do you know if the Percocet you’re buying is real or fake? What does a real Percocet look like? And what are the dangers of taking counterfeit pain medications?

How Percocet And Generic Versions Look Like

As mentioned earlier, Percocet is a brand name of Oxycodone/APAP. There are two most common forms of brand name Percocet – a white round pill and a yellow oval pill.

Percocet that looks like a round, white pill has a strength of 325 mg of acetaminophen and 5 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride. On one side it has a “PERCOCET” imprint and on the other side you can see “DuPont” imprinted on the pill.

The yellow version of Percocet has a strength of 325 mg of acetaminophen and 10 mg of oxycodone hydrochloride. This pill is elliptical or oval in shape. It has an imprint of “PERCOCET” on one side and “10/325” on the other side.

The challenge, however, is that since there are other formulations of Percocet and different generic versions of the drug, it can also come in different shapes, sizes, and color. A generic Percocet could be a white, yellow, or blue pill in different shapes. Just because a pill does not resemble the branded Oxycodone/APAP drug, this does not necessarily mean that it’s fake.

Because of this, many illegal drug manufacturers selling fake prescription drugs often get away with selling them. Some manufacturers will give the excuse that it is a generic version when in reality, the drug does not even contain oxycodone hydrochloride. Instead, these fake drugs contain harmful ingredients that could lead to dangerous consequences. What is scarier, however, is that many fake drugs now resemble the real thing. This can confuse consumers thinking that they are taking the actual drug.

Are You Buying Fake Opioids? Dangers Of Counterfeit Percocet

Fake drugs are an enormous problem in the United States.The Drug Enforcement Administration or DEA reported a significant increase in counterfeit pills of painkillers and sedatives. The pills, that are usually supplied by Mexican cartels or sourced from China, are causing an increase in fatal overdoses and deaths.

According to the DEA, these dangerous substances contain the potent opioid fentanyl. A dose as small as one grain of sand is enough to send someone into respiratory failure and cause death within minutes. Fentanyl is 100x more potent than morphine and is often mixed to fake drugs to heighten its effects.

All across the country, there have been warnings about the existence of these fake drugs. In Nevada, the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office has warned the public about counterfeit Percocet being sold locally in 2020. According to the warning, the tablets were also found to contain lethal fentanyl.

In January 2021, health officials in Philadelphia warned about fake painkillers being sold in the state. These fake drugs caused fatal overdoses and when they were tested, they were not Percocet or OxyContin. Instead, the drugs contain fentanyl.

Taking fake Percocet can be extremely dangerous. In 2017, the Georgia North-Central Health District emergency department reported six opioid overdoses and one death. The patients experienced loss of consciousness and respiratory depression. According to the report, two of the patients were believed to have taken one tablet of Percocet bought from the streets without a prescription.

In November 2019, the Washington Post reported the story of a woman who died in Montgomery County after taking fake Percocet. According to police reports, the woman only took a single tablet that apparently contained fentanyl.

So how do you avoid buying fake Percocet?

If you’re looking to buy pain killers, you must have a proper prescription for it.  It is important that you purchase it from a legitimate pharmacy.  Avoid buying from suspicious websites because they may be selling counterfeit medications. These sites mimic popular brands like Percocet and Oxycontin but instead deliver dangerous substances that can cause serious health problems or even death.

If the price seems too good to be true or if there are no reviews from customers, then it’s likely a scam site trying to rip off unsuspecting people who need their medication for chronic pain relief.

If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.

Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.