How Does Percocet Impact Patients?
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- One day after the world lost its purple prince, how he died remains unanswered.
Fans who attended his Saturday concert at Paisley Park remember hearing him talk about the flu.
But a report from TMZ alludes to a much different scenario: A Percocet overdose that landed his plane in Moline, Illinois.
The gossip website reports the singer took the prescription drug for hip pain after a previous surgery.
"It's oxycodone and it's combined with acetaminophen," said Dr. Jacob Hutchins, an anesthesiologist with University of Minnesota Health.
Hutchins has seen the impact Percocet can have on a patient.
"It decreases your pain, but also increases that euphoric feeling," said Hutchins.
Commonly prescribed after surgical procedures or for acute pain, the drug has become one of the most common prescriptions in the United States and one of the most addictive. Some of the side effects include; drowsiness, mental confusion, low blood pressure or an overdose
"If you're using it in ways that aren't as prescribed, or you're using it in larger doses than as prescribed, you can have side effects," Hutchins said.
It's why some doctors at U of M Health no longer use Percocet as a first choice in pain relief, instead turning to less addictive alternatives like Tylenol.
"You're seeing more and more physicians, especially in the acute pain setting, really try to find ways to minimize opioids," Hutchins said.
The medical examiner hasn't ruled on an exact cause of death and it could take weeks.
Hutchins said most patients who are prescribed Percocet or oxycodone only need the pain management for three to five days after surgery.
However, with its highly addictive nature, that's long enough for some people to become hooked.