How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System?

Oxycodone stays in your system for an average of 1 day after your last dose. Common types of drug tests can detect oxycodone for anywhere between 1 to 4 days after your last use.

Oxycodone is an opioid drug that treats severe and chronic pain. It is available in the United States as the brand name prescription drug OxyContin. Oxycodone also has a high potential for drug abuse, due to its pain-relieving and sedative effects.

If you show signs of oxycodone addiction or abuse, a drug test can be performed by your primary healthcare provider, law enforcement, or addiction treatment program. A positive test result can lead to further treatment options.

Drug Testing For Oxycodone Use

Oxycodone is a controlled substance with a high abuse potential. Drug tests can screen for common opioids of abuse, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and fentanyl. A drug test can identify if you have a history of opioid medication abuse, or if you need professional help.

Oxycodone is broken down to noroxycodone and oxymorphone by your body. Opioid drug tests can detect these metabolites, which stay in your body for longer than unchanged oxycodone.

On average, extended-release versions of oxycodone have longer detection times than immediate-release versions.

Oxycodone Urine Test

Urine tests can detect oxycodone and its metabolites for up to 4 days after your last dose. Urine tests are a common form of drug testing. If you must submit a drug test to your doctor, law enforcement, or an addiction treatment center, the type of test required may be a urine test.

Oxycodone Blood Test

A blood test can detect oxycodone use for up to 1 day after your last dose. Blood tests can detect whether you are currently suffering from the side effects of oxycodone.

If you or a loved one go to the hospital due to severe drowsiness, opioid cravings, changes in your heart rate, breathing problems, and other serious health effects, you may go through a blood test.

Blood tests may be performed in medical emergencies, but not during routine drug testing.

Oxycodone Saliva Test

Saliva tests can detect oxycodone in oral fluid for about 1 to 2 days after your last dose. Saliva tests can be less invasive than urine tests, but can have a shorter detection time and lower accuracy.

Medical professionals can use saliva tests as an alternative to urine testing.

Oxycodone Hair Follicle Test

Hair tests can detect oxycodone and its metabolites for more than 90 days after your last dose of oxycodone. Hair tests can have longer detection times than other forms of drug testing because oxycodone can stay in your hair as it grows out.

Half-Life Of Oxycodone

Oxycodone half-life is the length of time it takes the drug to decrease to half of its peak concentration in your body. After about 5 half-life cycles, oxycodone may be almost completely eliminated from your bloodstream.

The half-life of immediate-release oxycodone is about 3 hours, while the half-life of controlled-release oxycodone has a longer half-life of about 4 to 5 hours.

The elimination times of immediate-release formulations and controlled-release formulations is about 15 to 25 hours, respectively.

Factors such as your history of substance use, impaired liver function, age, and method of use can affect how long oxycodone stays in your system. After oxycodone leaves your bloodstream, it may stay in your urine, saliva, and other parts of your body for longer periods of time.

Bedrock Recovery Center

If you test positive for oxycodone in your system, you may be suffering from opioid addiction or substance use disorder. The opiate cravings, withdrawal symptoms, and worsening mental health that can occur with a substance use disorder can make quitting difficult.

To learn about our opioid addiction treatment options, including opioid detox programs, tapering schedules, oxycodone withdrawal management, behavioral health services, and other options, please contact us today.