Pain has become the most common problem in every third person among the five. People take it lightly, but they don’t know the fact that pain can be severe if not treated properly. When pain occurs, people usually take different kinds of painkiller medications without acknowledging the complications of these drugs. One of the most popular painkillers is Oxycodone, which is prescribed by many physicians for any kind of pain, whether it is moderate to severe.
With being so widely used, there are many questions arise relating to Oxycodone. Among them, one of the main questions frequently asked that how long Oxycodone stays in your system? Through this article, you will get a complete idea about your question. Before jumping into the topic, let’s start with some basic facts.
What is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is one of the few medications that has a great potency for pain control and well-known semi-synthetic opioid agonist. This drug is a Schedule II controlled substance, which is most useful for spontaneous bursts of shooting pain. Oxycodone pills can’t be taken directly without the permission of a doctor because it is not safe and can lead to many health consequences. There are two types of forms of Oxycodone available: immediate-release and another is extended-release.
The immediate-release tablets, capsules, or oral solution are used as needed for acute (short-term) pain, where the extended-release form of Oxycodone is available as the brand-name drug OxyContin and is used around-the-clock to treat severe and chronic pain that requires long-term treatment.
Working Mechanism of Oxycodone
Oxycodone is an opioid analgesic that works by binding the mu-opioid receptors in the brain and lessening the perception of pain by attaching to these receptors, providing significant relief for those suffering from chronic pain conditions, post-surgical pain, and injury-related pain. This blocks pain signals and creates a feeling of euphoria in some users. Due to severe pain, if you feel anxiety or stress, this medication helps to reduce the symptoms.
How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System?
It varies from person to person how long Oxycodone stays in the body. Primarily doctor starts from a low dose and increases the dose slowly to see the perception of the body. The half-life of Oxycodone is 3 to 5 hours, which is primarily metabolized by the liver. The immediate-release Oxycodone capsule starts to relieve pain within 10-30 minutes after consuming the dose, which lasts for up to 3-6 hours. And these tablets are eliminated from the body more quickly than extended-release tablets. The extended-release tablets are prescribed for managing chronic pain; they take 2-4 hours to kick in, but once they do, they can be effective for days.
How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System For A Drug Test?
There are a few tests, including saliva, urine, blood, and hair, through which it is determined whether or not you’ve been taking Oxycodone or how long Oxycodone stays in the body. The detection time varies from test to test. Below, we provide the timeframes for how long Oxycodone can be detected by different drug tests.
| Test Type | Detection Time of Oxycodone |
|---|---|
| Urine | 3-4 Days |
| Blood | 24 Hours |
| Saliva | 1-2 Days |
| Hair | 90 Days |
Factors Responsible for How Long Oxycodone Stays In Your System
How long Oxycodone stays in your system depends on several individual factors that influence how the drug is eliminated from the body. These factors can vary from person to person and affect the detection times in drug tests. Let’s discuss.
- Age: As people age, their metabolic rate generally slows down compared to younger people. A study reports, Oxycodone’s half-life is 3.8 hours in 25-year-old individuals while it is 4.6 hours in 85-year-old people.
- Gender: Women have more water in their bodies. So, the blood plasma concentrations of Oxycodone can be up to 25% higher in women than in men from the same dosage. As a result, in longer processing times for women.
- Metabolism: It varies from person to person and plays a key role in how quickly Oxycodone is broken down. People who have faster metabolisms will typically eliminate the drug more quickly than those with slower metabolisms.
- Weight: A person’s weight can impact how long Oxycodone stays in their system. If someone is overweight, Oxycodone can be stored in excess fat cells for longer-than-normal periods.
- Alcohol: Combining alcohol with Oxycodone can alter the way the body processes the drug. Alcohol can slow the liver’s ability to metabolize Oxycodone. That’s why avoid it while using Oxycodone; otherwise face severe life risk problems, even death.
- Dosages: The higher dose of Oxycodone takes a longer time to pass through the liver to metabolize and eliminate the drug.
- Other Medications: If a person is taking other medications with Oxycodone that enhance the cytochrome P450 (CYP3A4) enzyme, which can alter how Oxycodone is processed. Hence, it is advised, before using other medications with Oxycodone, first consult with a healthcare provider for proper guidance.
Withdrawal Symptoms of Oxycodone?
People who take opioids as directed by a doctor for short-term pain relief rarely face withdrawal, and chronic pain patients who take the drugs as recommended may develop withdrawal symptoms, which include:
- Anxiety
- Excess Sweating
- Yawning
- Insomnia
- Muscle Aches
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Increased heart rate and blood pressure
- Depression
- Fatigue
- Difficulty Concentrating
How To Get Oxycodone Out of Your System?
You can’t instantly flush Oxycodone from your body, and there are some ways to speed up the removal of Oxycodone from the system. The best and safest way to get Oxycodone out is medical detox program. Through this program, you can get a basic idea of how to slowly decrease the dose.
Drinking plenty of water, which can support kidney function and can help to get Oxycodone out of your body quickly. Always avoid alcohol and other medications that affect the metabolism.
Eat a balanced diet rich in vegetables, fruits, and proteins, and maintain a healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, which will help you get Oxycodone out.
Regularly check your health by consulting with a medical professional. Without a doctor’s approval, don’t stop using this drug, otherwise can lead to withdrawal symptoms.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Oxycodone Addictive?
Oxycodone is highly addictive when it is used for a long period, in a high dose, without consulting a doctor.
What Foods Enhance Oxycodone?
While taking Oxycodone, it is advised to eat homemade food with high fiber, like vegetables, fruits.
Does Oxycodone Help You Sleep?
Oxycodone is not primarily used for sleep. But due to its drowsiness, a common side effect, it may help some people to sleep.
Summing it up
Oxycodone is a widely prescribed pain-reducing medication that belongs to the analgesic drug class and is classified Schedule II controlled substance. It acts as a synthetic opioid analgesic that binds the opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord. How long this drug stays in the system depends on different factors and may vary from person to person. It is highly addictive while it is misused, so take it under the close supervision of a physician; otherwise, face severe side effects.
