How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In The Body?

Oxycodone is a variant of opioids used to treat moderate to severe pain. If you’ve been taking oxycodone for some time and an upcoming drug test is up, you may be wondering how long does oxycodone stay in your system. Find out the drug’s half-life, and how to get help for oxycodone addiction.

Opioid addiction has swept over the country. A large chunk of overdose deaths is because of prescription opioids such as oxycodone. Although the government has been ramping up its strategies to combat opioid addiction, drugs such as oxycodone have a strong grip on people who get hooked.

A lot of this has to do with the nature of opioid drugs. These painkiller substances are powerful, and when taken consistently, their effects and remnants can last well in the body. In this post, we will discover facts about this drug, and how long does oxycodone stay in system.

Overview

Oxycodone addiction has many facets, but perhaps the main reason you have come to this post is that you want to know how long does it take to get oxycodone out of your system, and what you can do to hasten this process. Below is an overview of the topics to be discussed:

  • Oxycodone half-life
  • Feeling the effects of oxycodone
  • Factors that influence processing oxycodone
  • Withdrawal symptoms
  • Getting help for addiction

We hope that this breadth of topics will not only inform but also help you in addressing problems with oxycodone use that you may be facing.

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System?

Opioids have varying degrees of how long they stay in the body. Some opioids are fast-acting and potent, which results in leaving the body quickly. There are also slow-release variants, which means that the substances can stay in your system a little longer than usual.

How long does oxycodone stay in urine for drug tests?

On average, oxycodone stays detectable in the urine for about 1-4 days. Of course, there are also several factors that influence how long it can be found in drug tests, which will be discussed later on.

The half-life of oxycodone is around 3-5 hours. This means that the original dose will be processed into half-dose as that time passes. With these averages, you can expect to get rid of the dosage you took as you divide the milligrams you took by half every 3-5 hours.

Here are other notable facts you should know:

  • A person will stay positive in a drug test 1-3 hours after taking oxycodone.
  • A saliva drug test will show oxycodone if it is taken within 48 hours.
  • Oxycodone will stay in your hair for up to 90 days.

If you’re wondering, “how long does oxycodone stay in your urine”, these are mere averages that aren’t 100% reliable. The only sure way to test negative for opioid drug tests is to abstain from them completely.

How Long Does It Take To Feel The Effects Of Oxycodone?

How long do the effects of oxycodone last> Oxycodone effects also depend on the mode of administering the drug. If a healthcare professional injects these opioid drugs intravenously, the effects would be quicker compared to ingesting a tablet.

However, most oxycodone prescriptions are oral drugs, and you can expect to feel the effects around 20-30 minutes on average. The highest concentration of oxycodone will be in the body at about 1-2 hours after ingesting the medication. As for extended and controlled-release variations, you can expect the height of concentration in about 3-4 hours.

During this time, you may feel:

  • Pain relief
  • Slow breathing
  • Slower heart rate
  • Drowsiness
  • Pleasurable sensations
  • Muscle limpness

If you notice signs of overdose such as unconsciousness, dilated pupils, pale skin, and loss of breathing, call emergency hotlines right away.

How Long Does It Take For The Effects Of Oxycodone To Wear Off?

Oxycodone is designed to provide pain relief for an extended amount of time. Thus, you may expect to feel its effects for about an average of 8-12 hours, but it can take shorter or longer depending on the dosage given.

Some people wonder, “how long does oxycodone stay in your system?”, while also thinking about the length of time they feel the effects. It is important to note that losing the effects of oxycodone does not translate to the drug weaning off completely from the body.

In summary, the length of effects is not the same as the drug being undetectable in tests. For those who misuse oxycodone, the drug can even stay in the body for as long as 3 months or above, especially traces on the hair or skin.

Factors That Influence How Long The Effects Of Oxycodone Last

There are several factors that indicate how long oxycodone stays and takes effect in the body. External or internal, these things influence oxycodone’s interactions in your system:

  • Dosage and frequency of the drug: The higher dosage and frequency of intake, the longer oxycodone will stay in the body.
  • Weight and height: People who are heavier, taller, or generally bigger in size may tend to keep the drug longer, which is associated with metabolism differences.
  • Kidney and liver issues: Oxycodone is mainly processed in the liver, but excretion and cleansing of the blood are done by the kidneys. Any issues with these organs can make oxycodone stay longer in the body.
  • History of misuse: People who take oxycodone illicitly may take the drugs in higher amounts, leading to stronger effects and long-lasting traces.

Withdrawal Symptoms

If you experience any of these withdrawal signs and symptoms, it is recommended to seek professional help. Worst-case scenarios show that opioid withdrawals can be life-threatening, especially if people attempt to self-medicate.

A sign that you have become dependent on oxycodone is when you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms. It may also be the reason why you’ve looked into this article because you want to resolve any discomforts that could occur if you do abstain from oxycodone use for a drug test. Here are some withdrawal symptoms that you need to look out for:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Intense cravings
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Sensitivity to pain
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Flu-like symptoms
  • Mood swings
  • Cold sweat
  • Fever and malaise

Finding Addiction Help

The only sure way to pass a drug test is to overcome any signs of oxycodone dependency. With a sustained, high-quality rehabilitation, you can pass an oxycodone drug test and turn your life around for the better. If you notice signs of oxycodone abuse in yourself or a loved one, know that you are not alone. Help is available through reputable oxycodone addiction centers. The typical route for oxycodone rehab include the following:

  • Medically-assisted detox: Provision of medications that dampen the effects of opioids
  • Treatment proper: Using 12-Step, Non-12 Step, Holistic, or Dual Diagnosis treatment options to target the underlying causes of addiction
  • Aftercare: Plugging into continued therapy, support groups, and inclusion of a relapse prevention guide

When you overcome an oxycodone addiction, no longer you will have to ask how long it stays in your system. You can confidently go through drug tests–and achieve a more fulfilling and healthier life.

Source:

  • Cdc.gov – “Understanding the Epidemic”.
  • News-medical.net – “What is the Half-Life of a Drug?”
  • Researchgate.net – “What is the difference between controlled release and sustained release drug dosage forms?”
  • Kidney.org – “Which Drugs are Harmful to Your Kidneys?”.
  • Ncbi.nlm.nih.gov – “Opioid Withdrawal”.

Medical disclaimer:

Sunshine Behavioral Health strives to help people who are facing substance abuse, addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of these conditions. It does this by providing compassionate care and evidence-based content that addresses health, treatment, and recovery.

Licensed medical professionals review material we publish on our site. The material is not a substitute for qualified medical diagnoses, treatment, or advice. It should not be used to replace the suggestions of your personal physician or other health care professionals.

Sunshine Behavioral Health Facilities

image

Chapters Capistrano

image

Monarch Shores

image

Mountain Springs

image

Willow Springs

image

Lincoln Recovery

Find out more about our admissions process