Percocet, a powerful combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen commonly used for treating extreme pain. It is a trusted pill that acts quickly and effectively for pain management. But sometimes it can cause misuse or dependence if not used carefully. Therefore, you need to know how long does Percocet stay in your system? So that, it will prevent you from harmful drug interactions or any liver issues. In this article, let’s explore the duration, usefulness, and detection process of Percocet.
How long does Percocet last in your system?
Somehow, it seems similar to How long does Percocet stay in the system, but not the same. It indicates the duration of action, while how long it will stay refers to how long the drug is detectable in your system. To know how long it lasts in the system, there are mainly two perspectives. Such as the Drug’s half life and another is how long you feel pain relief. Percocet starts working after 20-30 minutes after taking it orally, and its effects peak after 1 hour. It can relieve pain for up to 4-6 hours.
Percocet is the combined form of oxycodone and acetaminophen. So Half-Life of Percocet is according to the half-life of these two pills. Oxycodone has a half-life of about 3 to 5 hours, and the half-life of Acetaminophene is about 2 to 3 hours. Therefore, Percocet has approximately 3.5–5.5 hours of half-life. It means 50% of the pill worked, and its concentration is reduced in the bloodstream. Although Percocet is active in the body for 4-6 hours, it can be detected for a long time. Let’s discuss the detection process below.
How to detect Percocet in your system
Will Percocet show up on a drug test? No, the Percocet can’t be detected individually. It can be detected by the presence of an active opioid. For detecting Percocet, there is no single test available. Because Percocet has a combination of acetaminophen and oxycodone. Generally, Oxycodone is tested to detect the presence of Percocet. Since Acetaminophen is not a controlled substance. Oxycodone is categorized as a Schedule II, so it should be tested to avoid any interaction and misuse of the pill.
To detect Percocet in the system, there are certain drug tests are available. Some tests can be possible at home, but lab tests are more accurate, so doctors always suggest them. Let’s discuss different drug tests, such as:
| System/Test | Detection Time |
| Blood | Up to 46 hours |
| Urine | 2 to 4 days |
| Saliva | 1 to 3 days |
| Hair | Up to 90 days |
How long does Percocet stay in your system?
From the above discussion, we know how long it affects you and how to know it is active in your body. But, throughout treatment, it is important to know how long it stays. Because once you take the pill, its effectiveness may be gone from the body, but it can be detected in the above drug test. The longer the activity of a pill can be a reason for various side effects, organ damage, or harmful drug interactions. Before going to the topic, let’s know how Percocet works in the body.
In between 20-30 minutes, oxycodone enters the bloodstream and blocks the opioid receptors in the brain. That helps to alter pain signals and reduce the level of pain. Acetaminophen is an analgesic drug that combinely to affect the brain and feel more relaxed. Then both are metabolized in the liver and excreted by the kidneys. To flush out the system, it takes 2-4 days. But the hair test says that up to 90 days after your last taken pill, it is still staying in your system. The durations of different drug tests differ for individuals according to different factors such as age, metabolic power, liver functionality, and how long you’re taking the medication. So always follow your physician’s direction to avoid any adverse effects.
How long does Percocet stay in your system if you snort it?
As we know, Percocet is an analgesic narcotic drug, for which doctors do not prescribe it for snorting. However, people want snorting Percocet for quick relief and onset of action. Snorting Percocet is done by crushing the pills into powder and inhaling through the nasal system. It directly enters the bloodstream within 5-10 minutes. Apart from quick action, snorting Percocet will relieve pain similar to oral consumption. The drug interaction, the activity of the pill, and drug detection are also similar to oral intake. Instead of these benefits, Percocet snorting has various side effects. Such as Nasal and sinus damage, Liver toxicity, or addiction. So, avoid this and take the pill as your doctor.
How to Help Your Body Eliminate Percocet
Complete elimination of the pill is not a short-term process, but you can speed up the flushing process of the pill by following some precautions. Drink a large amount of water and eat juicy food. Water can help your kidneys filter faster, and have a healthier effect on it. Avoid all types of dehydrated food or drinks, like caffeine and alcohol. Add liver-friendly foods like Leafy vegetables, Fresh fruits, especially citrus, and berries to your routine for faster metabolism. Avoid highly processed and sugary food as much as possible. Get a light exercise every day and complete your sleep cycle to eliminate the Percocet effect quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
1. How long does Percocet stay in your system after you stop taking it
After you stop taking Percocet, it typically stays in your system for about 24 to 30 hours after your last dose, but this depends on several factors. If you are taking the pill for a long time, then it will take more time as compared to a beginner. Suddenly stopping the pill will cause some negative effects, like anxiety or dependence. Therefore, start the session and stop according to your doctor’s prescription.
2. How long does Percocet stay in your system for a mouth swab?
Percocet can be detected in your system through a mouth swab 15 to 30 minutes after taking. The oxycodone component of Percocet typically remains detectable for up to 1 to 2 days after your last dose. This detection timing can vary depending on several factors, but on average, Percocet stays in your system for up to 2 days.
3. What are the side effects of Percocet?
Percocet is a strong abuse drug and comes under the Schedule ll drug class can cause side effects if not used carefully. It has some minor side effects, like Drowsiness, Dizziness, Constipation, Nausea or vomiting, and Dry mouth. It can be negligible after some time, and take some precautions. But there are some major issues, like slowed breathing, Severe drowsiness, Confusion, Chest pain, irregular heartbeat, Severe allergic reaction, or Difficulty urinating, which need immediate medical attention.