Head-to-head clinical analysis & difference comparison: details on mechanism of action, dosing, half-life, interactions, and maternal-fetal safety.
PERCORTEN vs PERCOCET
Clinician-reviewed, head-to-head comparison of mechanism, dosing, pharmacokinetics, and safety profiles.
Last clinically reviewed: July 2026 · OpiCalc Medical Review Team
Percorten (desoxycorticosterone pivalate) is a synthetic mineralocorticoid that binds to and activates the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in the renal distal tubule, leading to increased sodium reabsorption, increased potassium and hydrogen ion excretion, and water retention, thereby expanding extracellular fluid volume and increasing blood pressure.
Oxycodone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception and emotional response. Acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) in the CNS, reducing prostaglandin synthesis and exerting analgesic and antipyretic effects.
Adjunctive therapy in adrenocortical insufficiency (Addison's disease) for mineralocorticoid replacement,Off-label: Treatment of orthostatic hypotension due to autonomic dysfunction
Management of moderate to moderately severe pain (FDA-approved),Off-label: severe pain when other analgesics are inadequate (individualized use)
1-5 mg intramuscularly or subcutaneously daily with dose adjusted based on clinical response and electrolyte monitoring.
One tablet (5 mg oxycodone/325 mg acetaminophen) every 6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 12 tablets per day.
Terminal elimination half-life is approximately 30-40 minutes. Clinically, the short half-life necessitates frequent dosing (e.g., every 6-12 hours) to maintain therapeutic effect in mineralocorticoid replacement.
Oxycodone: 3.5–4.5 hours (terminal) in normal renal function; prolonged in hepatic/renal impairment (up to 6–12 hours). Acetaminophen: 2–3 hours (terminal) in overdose, extended with hepatic injury.
Primarily hepatic via reduction and conjugation; excreted in urine as metabolites. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate is a prodrug that is hydrolyzed to desoxycorticosterone, which is then metabolized.
Oxycodone: primarily hepatic via CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 to active metabolites (noroxycodone, oxymorphone). Acetaminophen: hepatic via glucuronidation (UGT1A1/1A6), sulfation, and minor CYP2E1 oxidation.
Renal (biliary/fecal negligible). Approximately 50-70% of a dose is excreted as metabolites in urine; <5% unchanged.
Oxycodone: primarily renal (up to 19% as unchanged drug, 50% as noroxycodone and oxymorphone metabolites); about 10% biliary/fecal. Acetaminophen: renal (majority as glucuronide and sulfate conjugates, about 5% unchanged).
Approximately 90-94% bound to albumin and corticosteroid-binding globulin (CBG).
Oxycodone: 38–45% bound to albumin and alpha-1-acid glycoprotein. Acetaminophen: 10–25% bound to albumin (minimal).
Vd approximately 0.5-0.8 L/kg. Clinical meaning: Distributes primarily into extracellular fluid; low Vd indicates limited tissue penetration.
Oxycodone: Vd approximately 2.6 L/kg (extensive tissue distribution). Acetaminophen: Vd approximately 0.9 L/kg (total body water).
Oral: Approximately 50-70% (high first-pass metabolism). IM/SC: 100% (assumed).
Oxycodone: oral bioavailability 60–87% (immediate-release). Acetaminophen: oral bioavailability 85–98% (first-pass metabolism minimal).
No specific GFR-based dose adjustments established; use with caution in renal impairment due to potential for fluid retention and hypertension.
GFR >60 m L/min: no adjustment; GFR 30-60 m L/min: dose every 8 hours; GFR <30 m L/min: avoid use or use with extreme caution, consider reducing dose to 50% or extending interval to every 12 hours; not recommended in ESRD.
No specific Child-Pugh based dose adjustments; caution in severe hepatic impairment due to reduced metabolism and increased risk of adverse effects.
Child-Pugh A: no adjustment; Child-Pugh B: reduce total daily dose by 50%; Child-Pugh C: avoid use.
0.1-0.3 mg/kg intramuscularly or subcutaneously daily, divided every 12-24 hours, with titration based on clinical response.
Not FDA-approved for children <18 years; off-label: 0.1-0.2 mg/kg oxycodone (max 5 mg) plus 5-10 mg/kg acetaminophen every 4-6 hours; total acetaminophen not to exceed 75 mg/kg/day or 4 g/day.
Initiate at lower end of adult dose (1 mg daily) with careful monitoring for fluid overload and electrolyte disturbances due to age-related renal and cardiovascular changes.
Start with low end of dosing, e.g., 2.5 mg oxycodone/325 mg acetaminophen every 6 hours; monitor renal function and avoid >4 g/day acetaminophen; titrate cautiously due to increased sensitivity and fall risk.
None
Risk of addiction, abuse, and misuse; life-threatening respiratory depression; accidental ingestion of any dosage (especially in children) can be fatal; neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome with prolonged use during pregnancy; CYP3A4 inhibitors or discontinuation of CYP3A4 inducers may cause fatal respiratory depression; concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants may cause profound sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death.
May cause severe hypertension, edema, congestive heart failure, hypokalemia, or metabolic alkalosis. Monitor blood pressure, serum electrolytes, and body weight. Use with caution in patients with cardiac disease, renal impairment, or hepatic disease. Avoid excessive sodium intake.
Addiction, abuse, and misuse; life-threatening respiratory depression; accidental ingestion; neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome; risks from concomitant use with benzodiazepines or other CNS depressants; severe hypotension; seizures; serotonin syndrome; adrenal insufficiency; hepatotoxicity (acetaminophen); increased risk of pancreatitis (if combined with alcohol); risk of overuse for acetaminophen.
Hypersensitivity to desoxycorticosterone or any component,Severe hypertension,Hyperkalemia,Edema or fluid overload states,Congestive heart failure,Severe renal impairment
Hypersensitivity to oxycodone, acetaminophen, or any component; significant respiratory depression; acute or severe bronchial asthma in an unmonitored setting or without resuscitative equipment; known or suspected gastrointestinal obstruction, including paralytic ileus; severe hepatic impairment (acetaminophen hepatotoxicity risk).
Avoid high-potassium foods (e.g., bananas, oranges, salt substitutes) as Percorten increases potassium retention. Limit sodium intake to manage fluid balance.
Avoid alcohol and grapefruit juice. Alcohol can potentiate hepatotoxicity from acetaminophen and CNS depression from oxycodone. Grapefruit juice may increase oxycodone levels, enhancing sedative and respiratory depressant effects. No other significant food interactions.
Percorten (desoxycorticosterone pivalate) is a mineralocorticoid. Data in pregnant women are limited. In animal studies, corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic. Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed. First trimester: Possible increased risk of cleft palate and intrauterine growth restriction. Second and third trimesters: Potential for adrenal suppression in the fetus/newborn.
Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is pregnancy category C prior to 30 weeks gestation and category D after 30 weeks. First trimester: No clear evidence of major malformations, but opioid use may be associated with neural tube defects and gastroschisis. Second trimester: Risk of miscarriage, intrauterine growth restriction. Third trimester: Prolonged use can cause neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS) and respiratory depression at delivery. Acetaminophen is considered safe in therapeutic doses but overdose is hepatotoxic to fetus.
Corticosteroids are excreted in breast milk in small amounts. Desoxycorticosterone pivalate specific data are lacking. M/P ratio not determined. At high maternal doses, monitor infant for signs of adrenal suppression. Use with caution.
Oxycodone is excreted into breast milk; relative infant dose is approximately 1-2% of maternal weight-adjusted dose. M/P ratio (milk/plasma) is about 3.2:1 for oxycodone. Acetaminophen M/P ratio ~1.0. Low levels expected, but monitor infant for sedation and poor feeding. Caution with maternal high doses or prolonged use; avoid if mother is ultra-rapid CYP2D6 metabolizer due to risk of toxicity.
Pregnancy may increase clearance of corticosteroids, potentially requiring dose adjustments. However, specific pharmacokinetic data for Percorten are lacking. Use lowest effective dose and monitor clinical response and serum levels if available.
During pregnancy, increased plasma volume and hepatic metabolism may require higher doses of oxycodone to achieve analgesic effect. However, due to fetal risks, use lowest effective dose for shortest duration. No specific dose adjustments are validated; clinical response should guide dosing. Acetaminophen dosing remains unchanged but avoid exceeding 3 g/day in pregnancy.
Percorten (desoxycorticosterone pivalate) is a mineralocorticoid used for adrenal insufficiency. Monitor for hypertension, hypokalemia, and edema. Titrate dose based on blood pressure and serum potassium. Use with caution in heart failure or renal impairment.
Percocet contains oxycodone and acetaminophen; the acetaminophen component limits total daily dosing to avoid hepatotoxicity (max 4 g/day in adults, lower in liver disease or alcohol use). Due to oxycodone, it is a Schedule II controlled substance with high abuse potential. Constipation is a common adverse effect; consider prophylactic bowel regimen (e.g., docusate, senna). Respiratory depression risk is dose-related and increased with concurrent CNS depressants. Use with caution in elderly, renal impairment, or sleep apnea. Tolerance and dependence develop with prolonged use. Taper to discontinue after chronic use. Avoid in patients with known hypersensitivity to opioids or acetaminophen.
Take exactly as prescribed; do not miss doses.,Report rapid weight gain, swelling, or shortness of breath.,Avoid excessive salt intake; follow a low-sodium diet if advised.,Do not stop abruptly; taper under medical supervision.
Take exactly as prescribed; do not increase dose or frequency without consulting your doctor.,Avoid alcohol and other sedatives (e.g., benzodiazepines, muscle relaxants) as they increase risk of severe drowsiness and respiratory depression.,Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you; it may cause dizziness or drowsiness.,Do not exceed 4,000 mg of acetaminophen per day from all sources; check over-the-counter medications for acetaminophen content.,Stop taking and seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of liver damage: yellowing of skin/eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain.,Common side effects include constipation, nausea, vomiting, and drowsiness. Increase fluid and fiber intake to prevent constipation.,This drug has a high risk of addiction and dependence. Store securely out of reach of others. Do not share with others.,Do not suddenly stop taking after prolonged use; a gradual taper is needed to avoid withdrawal symptoms.,Contact your doctor if pain is not controlled or if you experience signs of allergic reaction (rash, swelling, trouble breathing).
No interactions on record
No interactions on record
Explore head-to-head clinical comparisons of other medications in the same therapeutic classes.
Common clinical questions about PERCORTEN vs PERCOCET, answered by our medical review team.
PERCORTEN is a Mineralocorticoid that works by Percorten (desoxycorticosterone pivalate) is a synthetic mineralocorticoid that binds to and activates the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) in the renal distal tubule, leading to increased sodium reabsorption, increased potassium and hydrogen ion excretion, and water retention, thereby expanding extracellular fluid volume and increasing blood pressure.. PERCOCET is a Opioid Analgesic Combination that works by Oxycodone is a mu-opioid receptor agonist, inhibiting ascending pain pathways and altering pain perception and emotional response. Acetaminophen inhibits cyclooxygenase (COX) in the CNS, reducing prostaglandin synthesis and exerting analgesic and antipyretic effects.. They differ in pharmacokinetic profiles, FDA-approved indications, and side effect profiles.
Potency comparisons between PERCORTEN and PERCOCET depend on the specific clinical indication. These are agents from distinct pharmacological classes and are not directly interchangeable by dose. A physician or clinical pharmacist should guide any therapeutic switching decisions.
The standard adult dose of PERCORTEN is: 1-5 mg intramuscularly or subcutaneously daily with dose adjusted based on clinical response and electrolyte monitoring.. The standard adult dose of PERCOCET is: One tablet (5 mg oxycodone/325 mg acetaminophen) every 6 hours as needed for pain; maximum 12 tablets per day.. Dosing should always be individualized based on indication, renal and hepatic function, age, and other patient factors.
No direct drug-drug interaction has been formally documented between PERCORTEN and PERCOCET in current clinical databases. However, individual patient risk factors including other medications, organ function, and comorbidities should always be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider.
The maternal-fetal safety profiles differ. PERCORTEN is classified as Category C. Percorten (desoxycorticosterone pivalate) is a mineralocorticoid. Data in pregnant women are limited. In animal studies, corticosteroids have been shown to be teratogenic. Use duri. PERCOCET is classified as Category C. Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) is pregnancy category C prior to 30 weeks gestation and category D after 30 weeks. First trimester: No clear evidence of major malformations, but. Always consult a maternal-fetal medicine specialist before taking either drug during pregnancy or lactation.