Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Fentanyl vs. Percocet

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Fentanyl (Duragesic) and Percocet (oxycodone/acetaminophen) are both used to treat pain, but they have some key differences. Fentanyl is an opioid that comes as a patch and is used for severe, long-term pain in people who are already opioid-tolerant. It works by releasing medication through your skin over a long period. Percocet, on the other hand, is a combination of oxycodone (an opioid) and acetaminophen (a non-opioid pain reliever) and is taken orally for pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid medications alone. Fentanyl is only available as a generic, while Percocet is available in both brand and generic forms. Fentanyl patches are changed every 72 hours, whereas Percocet is typically taken every 6 hours as needed. Both medications have a high risk of misuse, dependency, and addiction, but Fentanyl requires special monitoring and training for healthcare providers due to its higher risk of life-threatening side effects.

  • Fentanyl patch
    Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen)
  • Fentanyl patch
    Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen)

  • Summary of Fentanyl vs. Percocet

    Summary for Opioid
    Prescription only

    The fentanyl transdermal patch, previously known by the brand name Duragesic, is an opioid. It's a patch that's applied on the skin every 3 days to manage severe, long-term or chronic pain. The fentanyl patch is only approved for people who are "opioid tolerant" whose pain isn't controlled well enough with other treatment options. Fentanyl is a very powerful opioid, so the medication can be especially dangerous for those who aren't opioid tolerant because of their high risk for extremely slowed breathing and overdose. Some side effects include nausea, vomiting, and sleepiness.

    Summary for Opioid / Analgesic
    Prescription only

    Percocet (oxycodone / acetaminophen) is a combination opioid medication. It's used to treat pain when non-opioid medications aren't working well enough to control pain. It's a controlled substance because it has a high risk of misuse, dependency, and addiction.

  • Indications of Fentanyl vs. Percocet

    Indications for
    •Severe, chronic pain in people who are opioid tolerant
    Indications for
    •Pain that isn't relieved by non-opioid pain medications alone

  • Pros and Cons of Fentanyl vs. Percocet

    Pros and Const for Opioid
    Pros
    •A possible option for severe, chronic pain if you've already tried other treatments and they don't work well enough for you
    •A possible choice if you have trouble swallowing pills
    •Replaced on the skin every 3 days
    Cons
    •Only approved for people who are already taking opioids around-the-clock (opioid tolerant)
    •High risk for dangerously slow breathing, misuse, and addiction
    •Not intended to use as needed, for short-term pain, or for mild pain
    Pros and Const for Opioid / Analgesic
    Pros
    •Can provide pain relief within 10 to 30 minutes
    •Available in a liquid form for people who have trouble swallowing pills
    •Available as a lower-cost, generic medication
    Cons
    •High risk of misuse and dependency
    •Must slowly lower the dose to stop the medication after long-term use to avoid withdrawal symptoms
    •Not recommended to take with other medications containing acetaminophen since it can raise the risk of liver damage
    •A controlled medication, so there are special requirements to get a prescription filled

  • Common Side Effects of Fentanyl vs. Percocet

    Common Side Effects for
    •Nausea (41%)
    •Vomiting (26%)
    •Sleepiness (19%)
    •Dizziness (10%)
    •Trouble sleeping (10%)
    •Constipation (9%)
    •A lot of sweating (6%)
    •Tiredness (6%)
    •Feeling cold (6%)
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness
    •Sleepiness
    •Nausea
    •Vomiting
    •Constipation
    •Itching

  • Warnings of Fentanyl vs. Percocet

    Common Side Effects for
    •Potential for misuse and addiction
    •Life-threatening slowed breathing (respiratory depression)
    •Risk for opioid overdose
    •Life-threatening risks with accidental exposure
    •Life-threatening risks with patch exposure to high temperatures (e.g., heat, high fever)
    •Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
    •Physical dependence and withdrawal
    •Harm to newborn babies
    •Drug interactions
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Low blood pressure and slow heart rate
    •Low adrenal hormone levels
    •Seizures
    Common Side Effects for
    •Potential for addiction and misuse
    •Dangerously slow breathing (respiratory depression)
    •Opioid overdose
    •Difficulty concentrating and extreme sleepiness
    •Liver damage
    •Drug interactions
    •Harm to newborn babies
    •Severe allergic and skin reactions
    •Physical dependence and withdrawal
    •Low blood pressure
    •Low adrenal hormone levels
    •Seizures

  • Prices with our coupons for Fentanyl vs. Percocet

    Learn more about Fentanyl patch
    Learn more about Percocet

Compare other Pain drugs

Dilaudid vs FentanylFentanyl vs Acetaminophen With CodeineFentanyl vs NorcoFentanyl vs OxycodoneFentanyl vs PercocetMethadone vs FentanylSuboxone vs FentanylTramadol vs FentanylBuprenex vs OxycodoneCodeine vs NorcoCyclobenzaprine vs OxycodoneDilaudid vs AvinzaDilaudid vs MorphineDilaudid vs NorcoDilaudid vs OxycodoneIbuprofen vs NorcoMeloxicam vs OxycodoneMorphine Sulfate vs DilaudidMorphine vs NorcoNorco vs MethadoneNorco vs NeurontinNorco vs OxycodoneNorco vs PercocetNorco vs TramadolNorco vs VicoprofenOxycodone vs Acetaminophen With CodeineOxycontin vs NorcoRelafen vs NorcoToradol vs NorcoTylenol vs Norco
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.