We hear the question How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System? a lot. Before we jump into that lets talk a little bit about the drug.
Oxycodone, also known as Oxycontin, and Percocet, is a moderate to strong painkiller and has been commonly prescribed by Doctors in the U.S. since 1939.
As with other painkillers Oxycodone may inhibit your ability to drive or operate machinery so it’s a good idea to find out how long the drug stays in your system.
What is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a highly addictive painkiller that works by stopping your nervous system from sending pain signals to your brain.
Classified as a Schedule II drug, it has a high potential for abuse.
Oxycodone side effects can include:
- nausea
- vomiting
- confusion
- dizziness
- dry mouth
- rapid heartbeat
- painful urination
- itching
What’s the Difference Between Oxycodone and Hydrocodone?
Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid which comes in tablet form in the U.S. but is used intravenously in many other countries.
Hydrocodone is a powerful narcotic that is also used to treat moderate to severe pain. The side effects of Oxycodone and Hydrocodone are similar. But the latter is more likely to make you constipated than former. Both produce a euphoric high and are extremely addictive.
Both drugs, along with Roxicodone (oxycodone hydrochloride) are popular and easily found on the streets.
How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System?
What Is the Half-life of Oxycodone?
The term half-life refers to the length of time a drug takes to exit your body. Oxycodone has a half-life of between 3.5 to 5.5 hours, but it can take as long as up to 20 hours to completely exit your system.
There are factors that contribute to the length of time Oxycodone remains in your system such as your height, weight, food consumption, and your previous history with the drug.
As a general guide:
- Saliva: Within 15 to 30 minutes of taking Oxycodone, it can be detected in saliva and can remain detectable for up to 1 to 4 days.
- Blood: Detectable within 15 to 30 minutes of taking and remains detectable for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Urine: Detectable within 2 hours and for up to 3 to 4 days.
- Hair: After 5 to 7 days, Oxycodone is detectable in your hair and remains detectable for up to 90 days.
Other Factors that Contribute to How Long Oxycodone Stays in Your System
Liver enzymes metabolize oxycodone which means that if your liver or kidney function is impaired, it may take longer for the drug to exit your system. Younger people seem able to excrete oxycodone quickly due to their higher levels of certain enzymes.
Taking a larger dose of Oxycodone will allow it to remain in your system, but the more body fat you have, the quicker it will leave your body.
Your metabolic rate has a direct impact on how long Oxycodone stays in your body. If your metabolism works at a higher rate, the drug will exit your system quicker.
The length of time you have been taking Oxycodone, if you have eaten a meal before taking it, and if you have drunk plenty of water in the period before taking it – all influence how long traces can be found in your system. Therefore, it’s difficult to give a definitive answer to the question of how long it stays in your system.
Oxycodone and Hydrocodone: Detection in Urine, Oral Fluid, and Blood Report by Samhsa.
Always consult with your medical professional to find out more about Oxycodone and its effects on your system.
