Percodan is a prescription medication that contains a combination of oxycodone (a narcotic pain reliever) and aspirin (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It belongs to a class of medications known as opioid analgesics. Percodan should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider, as misuse or abuse of this drug can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death.
Percodan is a prescription medication that contains a combination of oxycodone (a narcotic pain reliever) and aspirin (a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug). It is used to treat moderate to severe pain. It belongs to a class of medications known as opioid analgesics. Percodan should only be taken under the supervision of a healthcare provider, as misuse or abuse of this drug can lead to addiction, overdose, and even death.
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Percodan
Depletes
Prolonged use of Percodan can impact 5 essential nutrients.
Zinc
Studies indicate that medications like aspirin can increase zinc loss through urine. Zinc plays a vital role in wound healing, protein synthesis, cell reproduction, immunity, and vision. If you take aspirin regularly, consider monitoring zinc levels and supplementation may be beneficial to prevent a deficiency.
Replace with Zinc Bisglycinate (12.5 mg)
Research: Babu SSN, Singla S, Jena G. Role of Combination Treatment of Aspirin and Zinc in DMH-DSS-induced Colon Inflammation,...
Vitamin C
Regular use of aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) can increase how much vitamin C your body gets rid of through urine, potentially leading to deficiency. If you take aspirin regularly, consider supplementing with vitamin C supplementation.
Replace with Vitamin C Ascorbic Acid (200 mg)
Research: Schulz HU, Schürer M, Krupp S, Dammann HG, Timm J, Gessner U. Effects of acetylsalicylic acid on ascorbic acid...
Folic Acid
Regular aspirin use, even at therapeutic doses, can lead to lower-than-normal levels of folate in the blood (serum folate). Additionally, aspirin might slightly increase the amount of folate excreted in urine, potentially disrupting the body's folate balance. For those taking regular aspirin therapy, folic acid supplementation should be considered to prevent a deficiency.
Replace with Folate (.2mg as L-5-Methylfolate) (0.34 DFE)
Research: Lawrence VA, Loewenstein JE, Eichner ER. Aspirin and folate binding: in vivo and in vitro studies of serum binding and...
Vitamin B12
Research found that individuals hospitalized with heart disease and a history of aspirin use were nearly twice as likely to have low or borderline vitamin B12 levels compared to non-aspirin users. While this doesn't definitively prove aspirin causes B12 deficiency, it raises a potential link. Aspirin can irritate the stomach lining in some individuals. This is concerning because the stomach plays a crucial role in vitamin B12 absorption by producing hydrochloric acid and intrinsic factor. Both are essential for proper B12 uptake.
Replace with Vitamin B12 Methylcobalamin (0.2 mg)
Research: van Oijen MG, Laheij RJ, Peters WH, Jansen JB, Verheugt FW; BACH study. Association of aspirin use with vitamin B12...
Also Benefits From:
Omega 3
Omega-3 fatty acids offer promise for managing pain associated with osteoarthritis (OA). Research suggests they may work by reducing inflammation, a key contributor to OA pain and stiffness. Studies involving over 2000 patients with OA showed that omega-3 supplementation significantly lessened joint pain compared to a placebo. This improvement was accompanied by increased joint function, suggesting omega-3s might help people with OA move more easily and comfortably.
Research: Kuszewski JC, Wong RHX, Howe PRC. Fish oil supplementation reduces osteoarthritis-specific pain in older adults with...
Health Impact
Percodan-induced nutrient depletion can lead to a range of health problems
Weakened Immune Response
Classic dermatology and immunology literature shows that zinc deficiency causes lymphopenia and reduced immune capacity; more recent work links marginal deficiency to impaired inflammatory and anti-microbial responses.
Research: Fraker PJ et al. The dynamic link between the integrity of the immune system and zinc status. JAMA Dermatol....
Slow Skin & Wound Healing
Experimental and clinical studies demonstrate that zinc deficiency is associated with skin lesions, delayed wound closure and abnormal inflammatory responses, while zinc repletion can improve healing outcomes in selected populations.
Research: Lin PH, Sermersheim M et al. Zinc in wound healing modulation. Nutrients. 2017;9(1):16.; News-Medical. The role of zinc in...
Scurvy & Fragile Blood Vessels
Modern case reports and re-analyses of classic scurvy trials show that vitamin C deficiency causes defective collagen and capillary integrity, with slow recovery of scar strength even after repletion if deficiency is prolonged.
Research: Gandhi M et al. Scurvy: rediscovering a forgotten disease. Clin Case Rep. 2023;11(6):e10296835.; Hujoel PP, Hujoel MLA....
Delayed Wound Healing & Fatigue
Systematic reviews report improved healing of chronic wounds with vitamin C supplementation in deficient or high-need states, supporting the clinical impact of inadequate ascorbate on tissue repair.
Research: Bechara N et al. The role of vitamin C in tissue repair and wound healing: a systematic review. Int Wound J....
High Homocysteine & Vascular Risk
Meta-analyses of randomized trials show that folic acid supplementation lowers homocysteine and modestly reduces stroke and overall cardiovascular disease risk in some populations, especially where baseline folate status is low, highlighting the adverse vascular profile of folate deficiency.
Research: Li Y et al. Folic acid supplementation and the risk of cardiovascular diseases: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled...
Folate-Related Megaloblastic Anemia
Hematology and nutrition reviews describe folate deficiency as a classic cause of megaloblastic anemia and mucosal abnormalities, frequently exacerbated by medications that antagonize folate metabolism.
Research: O’Leary F, Samman S. Vitamin B12 in health and disease. Nutrients. 2010;2(3):299-316. (discussion of folate and B12 in...
B12-Related Megaloblastic Anemia
Clinical reviews identify vitamin B12 deficiency as a common cause of megaloblastic anemia; hematologic abnormalities often improve with replacement, underscoring the hematopoietic consequences of depletion.
Research: Langan RC, Zawistoski KJ. Update on vitamin B12 deficiency. Am Fam Physician. 2017;96(6):384-389.; Green R. Vitamin B12...
Side Effects
Common side effects of Percodan, some of which may be related to nutrient depletion
Review
Side effects of the analgesic drug Percodan may include:
1. Nausea and vomiting 2. Constipation 3. Dizziness or lightheadedness 4. Drowsiness or sedation 5. Headache 6. Dry mouth 7. Sweating 8. Rash or itching 9. Difficulty urinating 10. Respiratory depression (serious side effect, seek immediate medical attention)
It is important to consult a healthcare provider if you experience any of these side effects while taking Percodan.
Get Support
We've developed a formula to replenish the nutrients depleted by Percodan.
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The Zinc supplement by Pure Encapsulations is a dietary supplement designed to support immune function and overall health, featuring highly bioavailable zinc in a hypoallergenic, vegetarian capsule.
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