How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Your System?
Oxycodone, a generic opioid, clears from the blood in about 22 hours, but it can be detected for longer depending on the type of test.
Oxycodone, a generic opioid, clears from the blood in about 22 hours, but it can be detected for longer depending on the type of test.
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Oxycodone is a generic opioid pain medication. Oxycodone is in brand-name medications such as OxyContin. It can be prescribed to relieve moderate-to-severe pain following an injury or major surgery. As with other opioids, oxycodone is habit-forming and has a high risk of dependence associated with its use, even by prescription. Other brand-name drugs with oxycodone include Oxaydo, Roxycodone and Oxy IR.
Oxycodone is a prescription opioid. In contrast to “opiates,” it is a synthetic drug, not naturally occurring. Other prescription opioids include hydrocodone, fentanyl, and methadone. All opioids, when formulated on their own into a prescription, are Schedule II medications. These types of drugs have accepted medical use but have a high potential for abuse and addiction.
How long does oxycodone stay in your system? This question is common for people facing drug tests or those wishing to avoid a potential overdose. While the half-life of oxycodone (how long it takes the body to eliminate half of the substance) is approximately 3–4 hours, traces of oxycodone can be detected in your hair for up to 90 days following the latest use. On average, oxycodone clears from the blood in around 22 hours. Many variables can impact this estimate, such as the health of the person who took it and how large a dose they took.
Oxycodone has been on the market for several decades. Because of this, there are a number of brand names in addition to generic oxycodone. Common brand names include:
The medications above contain only oxycodone as the active ingredient. There are also combination products that contain oxycodone plus other drugs. Examples include:
Oxycodone is a powerful painkiller used for many different purposes. It is commonly used for chronic pain and pain after surgery. It is a common drug because of its effectiveness and how quickly it starts to work. For most immediate-release formulations, oxycodone starts working in about 10–30 minutes.
Oxycodone is also available in long-acting forms to treat chronic pain. These types of oxycodone start working in an hour. In contrast to short-acting versions, extended-release oxycodone does not have a peak effect.
Oxycodone is a short-acting opioid that is removed from the body in less than 24 hours. The time of effect is even shorter. For short-acting opioids, oxycodone lasts for about 4–6 hours for pain relief. The effects can be even shorter in people with a high tolerance for opioids.
Long-acting forms of oxycodone last much longer. Many of these formulations can last anywhere from 8 to 12 hours before another dose is needed. These formulations are used for chronic pain like what cancer patients experience.
The half-life of oxycodone refers to the time required for half the drug to leave the system. It usually takes five half-lives for a drug to clear out of the body completely. Oxycodone’s half-life is over three hours. This rate varies depending on factors like genetics, age, weight and overall health.
How is oxycodone metabolized? When someone uses oxycodone, it goes through the digestive system and is broken down in the liver. The kidneys then excrete it through urine, and small amounts may be eliminated through sweat. While the half-life of oxycodone is approximately 3–4 hours, the metabolic process will last longer.
A range of drug screenings may detect oxycodone. How long oxycodone might show up on a screening varies by the different types:
Oxycodone is a drug affected by many different factors. Some increase how long oxycodone sticks around, and some make it metabolize faster. Some of these factors include:
Oxycodone works by activating opioid receptors. These receptors are found throughout the body, particularly in the brain and central nervous system. When oxycodone activates the receptors, it changes how pain signals are sent from the body to the brain. The activation can also cause a slow down in the central nervous system, including breathing, heart rate and blood pressure.
Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant. If someone takes a dose that’s too large or takes multiple doses too close to one another, they can overdose. An opioid overdose has symptoms such as limited breathing and changes in heart rate due to the depressant’s effects.
Sometimes, people using oxycodone may feel euphoric or experience pleasant feelings from the medication because of its effects on the brain and neurotransmitters. These effects are one reason there’s a risk of developing an addiction while taking oxycodone.
Oxycodone withdrawal can be a very distressing and possibly dangerous situation. Since oxycodone is an opioid, symptoms are the same as other opioid withdrawals. Common symptoms of oxycodone withdrawal include:
Withdrawal symptoms can happen to a person who is dependent on the drug. Physical dependence happens because oxycodone makes changes to the central nervous system over time. Oxycodone activates opioid receptors more than would happen naturally, and the body adjusts by lowering the number and activity of these receptors. Withdrawal symptoms happen because when someone stops oxycodone, they now don’t have enough opioid receptors for their body’s needs.
Withdrawal has a predictable timeline:
For those located in Ohio and the Midwest, The Recovery Village Columbus has many oxycodone addiction treatment options. Depending on your needs, we have the following levels of care:
We also have telehealth options for those who can receive services from their home.
Our location near Columbus, Ohio, is staffed with licensed professionals using evidence-based care. We are fully accredited and are here to assist you in your journey. Following a medically-supervised detox, treatment often involves cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), individual and group counseling and other services in a serene and relaxing environment.
Oxycodone is one of the many prescription pain medications that are part of the opioid epidemic. If you are struggling with oxycodone addiction or you’d like to help a struggling loved one, contact The Recovery Village Columbus today to speak to a representative who can help you toward a healthier future.
The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with a substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider.