Percocet and Weed: What Are the Risks of Combining Them?

Percocet is a prescription medication that’s a combination of oxycodone hydrochloride and acetaminophen. It is used in the treatment of pain and is an opioid. 

Chronic pain is very common in the U.S. Opioids are a common option for the treatment of chronic pain, but that doesn’t mean that they’re a perfect solution. In fact, deaths from prescription opioids recently rose by 17%. Because of this, it’s essential that opioids are only taken under the guidance of a doctor and they’re used very carefully.

The opioid crisis in the U.S. is rampant and going mostly uncontrolled. Because of the highly addictive properties of opioids, some people have turned to cannabis as an alternative.¹ However, that doesn't necessarily mean the two are safe to combine. Before you consider combining cannabis and Percocet, it's important to know the potential risks and weigh them against any possible benefits. Of course, your doctor should always be consulted before making any changes.

What is Percocet?

Percocet is an opioid, which is a drug class that comes “from, or mimics, natural substances found in the opium poppy plant. Opioids work in the brain to produce a variety of effects, including pain relief.” Opioids work by attaching themselves to receptors throughout various parts of the body and brain.

Percocet is a serious medication that must be taken very carefully. It’s very possible to become dependent on this medication and it’s also possible to develop a tolerance. Using opioids can severely impact someone’s physical and mental health, so consider speaking with a medical professional about alternative options if you’re curious.

Percocet is used to treat pain and is typically only prescribed when other pain relief options are not strong enough. Most medical professionals will prescribe another pain relief option before they turn to an opioid prescription.

Opioid addiction is a serious health problem. Addiction to opioids is fairly common and can be avoided by avoiding opioids or only taking them carefully under the instruction of a licensed medical professional.

Percocet can have serious side effects. Common side effects include:

• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Fever
• Yellow eyes
• Loss of appetite

Opioid prescriptions are very common, with doctors in the US giving out 43.3 prescriptions per 100 people. If you’ve been given an opioid prescription, it’s extremely important only to take it as prescribed and never take a higher dose than prescribed or more often than prescribed.

Percocet and Cannabis Interaction

There hasn’t been much research to understand the combination of Percocet and medical marijuana, but a study is currently being done to look at the effects of oxycodone versus cannabis.

While there hasn’t been significant research to understand the effects of combining Percocet with weed, a few things are known about combining cannabis and opioids. 

One journal noted that there’s a possibility cannabis could improve the analgesic effects of opioids. The same article discussed the potential of cannabis to mitigate some of the negative side effects that can come from opioids. This suggests that it’s possible this combination could not only provide magnified effects but it could reduce some of the negative consequences of taking Percocet.² While this journal article contains some significant research, there is still a large need for more studies to look at this subject.

When it comes to combining Percocet and medical marijuana, no significant research examines potential interactions. If you’re considering combining these two substances, then you should speak with your doctor about your options. It’s always a good idea to get personalized medical advice and make sure that you’re being as safe as possible before combining substances.

Is there a Benefit to Taking Weed and Percocet Together?

It’s possible that there could be some benefits to taking weed and Percocet together, but there hasn’t been significant research to be able to make any definitive claims. If there are specific benefits that you’re seeking from this combination, consider speaking with a medical professional about alternative options that may provide you with the same effects.

The research that has been done in this area has shown promising results. 

One study found that THC had the ability to magnify the effects of oxycodone. The same study suggested that it’s possible cannabis could help individuals reduce their opioid use, which is an interesting idea that needs to be studied further.² The potential for cannabis to be a replacement for opioid use could save lives.

What are the Potential Risks of Combining Weed and Percocet?

There is no way to predict exactly how someone will respond to the combination of Percocet and cannabis. In most cases, it may be best to avoid this combination. Individuals who do choose to combine the two should be extremely careful and speak with their doctor beforehand. 

While few studies have looked into the potential risks of combining weed and Percocet, some considerable risks can likely come from this combination.

While cannabis has shown some potential to reduce certain negative side effects associated with opioids, it’s possible that side effects like drowsiness or changes in appetite could become even more exaggerated. 

It is also possible that using cannabis and opioids together can lead to increased anxiety and depression.³ And the same study found that combining the two didn’t increase pain relief when compared to opioid use on its own.

Interestingly, a study found that cannabis did not impact the respiratory depression effects that oxycodone can exhibit.⁴

Opioids can be very dangerous. They’re incredibly addictive, and that dependence can significantly alter people’s lives. 

When taking opioids, it’s essential to make sure that you take them only as prescribed. You should never change your opioid dose without speaking to a doctor and getting an updated prescription. Taking more of an opioid or taking it more often than prescribed can lead to addiction and possible overdose, so it’s important to ensure that you’re following the instructions in your prescription.

Opioid overdoses are a reality that cannot be ignored. In 2021, there were 80,411 reported deaths from opioid overdoses alone. Because of the addictive nature of opioids and their high overdose incidence, many patients and medical practitioners are interested in finding safer alternatives when it comes to treating pain. 

Safety Tips When Using Cannabis and Percocet

If you’re going to use cannabis and Percocet together, the best thing you can do is speak with your doctor. Ask them any questions you have and provide them with more information about the benefits you're seeking. They may be able to provide you with an alternative that’s backed by scientific research and offers fewer risks and side effects.

How long Percocet stays in your system will depend on a variety of factors, including your age and metabolism. Considering these factors is important, especially if you’re going to be using cannabis. If you use cannabis and don’t want to combine it with Percocet, it’s best to wait for at least 6 hours after you’ve taken your last pill. When in doubt, it’s best to wait even longer to ensure that the immediate effects of Percocet have worn off and are in the process of exiting your system.

Uncontrollable cravings, taking opioids more often than prescribed, or taking a higher dosage than prescribed may be signs that you are developing a dependence. In this case, the best option is to reach out to your doctor to discuss your current prescription. There are also many addiction resources that you can consult.

Can Medical Marijuana Be An Alternative to Percocet?

You may be wondering if cannabis could be an alternative to an opioid prescription. Cannabis has shown promise as a potential way to get natural pain relief.

One study found that 65.8% of individuals claimed cannabis was more effective at treating pain than prescription drugs. Interestingly, the same study noted that 85.5% of individuals reported the side effects from cannabis were much more preferable compared to those from prescription drugs.⁵ 

A 2020 review analyzed the results of nine studies on cannabis and opioid use that involved over 7000 participants. The researchers found that compared to non-cannabis users, medical cannabis patients reported a drop in opioid dosage by up to 75% and complete cessation for up to 59.3% of medical cannabis users. These findings suggest that cannabis may be an effective replacement for Percocet among some consumers.⁶

One of the biggest benefits of using cannabis instead of Percocet is that it often has fewer distressing side effects and may lower the potential for addiction.

And while it’s very easy to overdose on opioids, it’s much less likely to overdose on cannabis.

Percocet and Weed FAQ

Is Percocet legal everywhere? 

In order for Percocet to be taken legally, it must be taken under the guidance of a doctor and with a prescription. Percocet taken without a prescription is illegal.

Can you overdose on Percocet and weed? 

It is entirely possible to overdose on Percocet, and the simultaneous use of cannabis may increase the likelihood. This is one of the reasons why it’s important to make sure that you only combine these substances under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Is CBD safe to use with Percocet? 

There haven’t been enough studies to determine whether or not it’s safe to use CBD with Percocet. While it’s generally believed that this combination is safe when CBD is used in moderate amounts and Percocet is taken as prescribed, it's always best to consult your doctor before combining substances.

Will a doctor prescribe cannabis and Percocet? 

It would be very rare for a doctor to prescribe cannabis and Percocet to be taken at the same time. There hasn’t been enough research to understand the effects of this combination, so most doctors do not feel comfortable prescribing the two medications to be taken simultaneously. However, cannabis has shown potential to help patients reduce opioid use, and a doctor may be able to help patients change their treatment regimen if they’re interested in switching from opioids to medical marijuana.

Is it better to smoke cannabis or take an edible if I’m going to be also taking Percocet? 

There hasn’t been much research into taking Percocet and using different methods of cannabis consumption. Smokable options generally take effect faster than edibles, so they’re typically a better option if you’re looking for quick relief.

Is there a way to predict how I’ll react to combining Percocet and cannabis? 

There isn’t a way to predict how someone will respond to combining Percocet and cannabis. If you’re concerned about having a potential negative reaction, then it may be best to avoid this combination altogether. If you are going to use the two in combination, then it’s best to speak with a doctor beforehand.

References

1.  Meacham MC, Nobles AL, Tompkins DA, Thrul J. "I got a bunch of weed to help me through the withdrawals": Naturalistic cannabis use reported in online opioid and opioid recovery community discussion forums. PLoS One. 2022;17(2):e0263583. Published 2022 Feb 8. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0263583
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2.  Cooper ZD, Bedi G, Ramesh D, Balter R, Comer SD, Haney M. Impact of co-administration of oxycodone and smoked cannabis on analgesia and abuse liability. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2018;43(10):2046-2055. doi:10.1038/s41386-018-0011-2
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3.  Rogers AH, Bakhshaie J, Buckner JD, et al. Opioid and Cannabis Co-Use among Adults With Chronic Pain: Relations to Substance Misuse, Mental Health, and Pain Experience. J Addict Med. 2019;13(4):287-294. doi:10.1097/ADM.0000000000000493
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4.  van Dam CJ, van der Schrier R, van Velzen M, et al. Inhaled Δ9-tetrahydrocannabinol does not enhance oxycodone-induced respiratory depression: randomised controlled trial in healthy volunteers. Br J Anaesth. 2023;130(4):485-493. doi:10.1016/j.bja.2022.12.018
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5.  Kvamme SL, Pedersen MM, Rømer Thomsen K, Thylstrup B. Exploring the use of cannabis as a substitute for prescription drugs in a convenience sample. Harm Reduct J. 2021;18(1):72. Published 2021 Jul 10. doi:10.1186/s12954-021-00520-5
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6.  Okusanya BO, Asaolu IO, Ehiri JE, Kimaru LJ, Okechukwu A, Rosales C. Medical cannabis for the reduction of opioid dosage in the treatment of non-cancer chronic pain: a systematic review. Syst Rev. 2020;9(1):167. Published 2020 Jul 28. doi:10.1186/s13643-020-01425-3
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The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.