Yes, oxycodone-acetaminophen is the same medication as Percocet. Percocet is simply the brand name for the combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. When your pharmacy fills a prescription with the generic version, you’re getting the exact same active ingredients in the same amounts.
Brand Name vs. Generic
Percocet is manufactured by Endo Pharmaceuticals and has been on the market for decades. The generic version is labeled “oxycodone and acetaminophen” or “oxycodone/acetaminophen” and is made by multiple manufacturers. Both contain identical active ingredients: oxycodone (an opioid pain reliever) and acetaminophen (the same ingredient found in Tylenol). The FDA requires generics to deliver the same amount of active drug into the bloodstream as the brand-name version.
The only differences between Percocet and its generic are cosmetic. The tablets may look different in shape, size, or color because each manufacturer uses its own inactive ingredients like fillers, dyes, and coatings. These inactive ingredients do not change how the medication works.
Available Strengths
This combination comes in several strengths, identified by how many milligrams of oxycodone are paired with acetaminophen. The current formulations pair each oxycodone dose with 325 mg of acetaminophen:
- 2.5 mg / 325 mg (the lowest strength)
- 5 mg / 325 mg (the most commonly prescribed)
- 7.5 mg / 325 mg
- 10 mg / 325 mg (the highest strength)
Older formulations paired oxycodone with 500 mg or even 650 mg of acetaminophen, but the FDA pushed manufacturers to limit the acetaminophen content to 325 mg per tablet to reduce the risk of liver damage.
How the Two Ingredients Work Together
Oxycodone is an opioid that blocks pain signals in the brain and spinal cord. Acetaminophen relieves pain through a different pathway. Combining the two allows for better pain relief at a lower opioid dose than oxycodone would need on its own. This is why oxycodone-acetaminophen is prescribed for moderate to moderately severe pain, often after surgery, dental procedures, or injuries.
DEA Scheduling
Both Percocet and generic oxycodone-acetaminophen are classified as Schedule II controlled substances by the DEA. This is the most restrictive category for medications that have accepted medical use. Schedule II drugs carry a high potential for misuse and physical dependence. In practical terms, this means your prescription cannot include refills. You need a new prescription each time.
The Acetaminophen Limit to Know
The oxycodone component gets most of the attention, but the acetaminophen in each tablet carries its own safety concern. Taking more than 4,000 mg of acetaminophen in a 24-hour period increases the risk of serious liver damage. If you’re taking oxycodone-acetaminophen tablets at the 325 mg acetaminophen strength, that ceiling is roughly 12 tablets in a day, though your prescribed dose will be well below that.
The real risk comes from stacking. Many over-the-counter products contain acetaminophen: cold medicines, sleep aids, headache remedies. If you’re taking oxycodone-acetaminophen and also reaching for Tylenol or a multi-symptom cold product, the acetaminophen adds up quickly. Check the labels of anything else you’re taking to make sure you’re not doubling up.
Why Your Pharmacy Might Dispense One Over the Other
Most pharmacies automatically fill prescriptions with the generic unless the prescriber specifically writes “brand name medically necessary” or your state’s pharmacy laws require otherwise. The generic is significantly cheaper. Insurance plans almost always cover the generic and may not cover the brand at all, or they’ll charge a much higher copay for it. If your bottle says “oxycodone-acetaminophen” instead of “Percocet,” you’re getting the same medication at a lower cost.