Overview :
Oxycodone is a habit-forming drug that helps treat short and long-period pain. The duration of the medicine stays in your system depends upon various factors. An individual who takes Oxycodone may worry about its effects on the blood testing.
Oxycodone is a potent opioid that is generally prescribed for treating mild to severe pain in people who are tolerable to the medicine. It is a schedule II controlled substance, which means it has a high risk of misuse and abuse, with use potentially resulting in physical or psychological dependence and addiction. Additionally, the use of this medication carries the risk of overdose and drug interaction.
It is able to be detected in your blood for about one day. The medicine can still be detected in various types of screening of drugs for as many as three months after the last use. It can be detected through hair, saliva, blood, and urine tests. It is available in various forms such as capsule, tablet, and liquid solutions.
The extended-release form of Oxycodone is also available. Some common brands of this medicine include Oxycontin, Percocet, Roxicodone, and others. As an illegal street medicine, it is commonly known as hillbilly heroin.
How long can you feel the effects of Oxycodone?
The standard forms of Oxycodone are taken every four to six hours, but the extended format is generally accepted for 12 hours. The onset of the pain relief occurs 10 to 15 minutes after taking a single dose of the drug. The pain-relieving effects reach a peak between 30 to 60 minutes after consuming a quantity for many people.
The peak blood level occurs 30 to 60 minutes after the ingestion. For an extended-release form of this medicine, there is the second release in about seven hours. When you first start taking this drug, you should reach the steady levels of the medicine in your bloodstream after 24 to 36 hours. The plasma level of this medicine can be higher in females, people with liver impairment, and elderly people.
Oxycodone can also cause some side effects that may include:
- constipation
- stomach ache
- dry mouth
- mood changes
- flushed skin
- headache
- drowsiness
Some severe side effects may include seizures, lightheadedness, swelling, hives, chest pain, vomiting, nausea, and changes in heart rate. If you experience these symptoms, you should contact your medical professional immediately.
How long does it take Oxycodone to stay in the system?
Some people take Oxycodone every 6 to 12 hours, depending on the versions of the medicine they use. When it is almost time to take the next dose, many people no longer feel the effects of the drug from the previous amount. However, the medicine may remain in the body for much longer than the effects last.
Urine
On average, this medicine stays in the urine for about two to four days following the last dose. In a study, it was found that the average duration of about 30 hours following a dose.
However, the actual detection window may vary due to several factors, such as:
- Metabolism: Many people’s bodies metabolize medicine faster than others.
- Dosage: the smaller dose exit the body more quickly. Your body can generally metabolize many amounts.
- Hydration: Drinking a lot of water may help to dilute the urine and shorten the detection window.
Blood
The half-life of this drug is 4.5 to 6.5 hours, depending on the dosage. It is the amount of time it takes for blood concentration in the medicine to decrease by half. By the 24-hour mark, the blood concentration of the drug is either very low or nonexistent. It means that many people will get a negative blood test within a day or two of their last dose.
Hair
A hair test for Oxycidie is more sensitive. It is because this medicine can contaminate the hair even if an individual does not use it. Also, this drug may remain on the ends of the hair for months or even years after an individual stops taking this medicine. Tests of the root of your hair may get a positive result for weeks and months.
Saliva
This medicine can also be detected in your saliva test for one to four days after the use.
What factors can affect the detection time?
There are several factors that can play an essential role in how long it can be detected in your body.
Age
Some studies have shown that older people clear the medicine from their system last a slower rate than younger people. In a clinical trial, participants over the age of 65 had blood concentrations of the drug that were 15% higher than younger adults.
Duration of use
Oxycodone can build up in the body, so if you have been taking Oxycodone for pain for some time after taking your last dose. When you are going for a drug test, you should tell your lab operator even if you have discontinued taking medicine.
Kidney function
An individual with impaired kidney function clears this drug at a slower rate. Some studies found that an individual with issues in their kidney has blood plasma concentrations of the medicine that are 50% higher than those with normal renal function.
Liver dysfunction
An individual with liver dysfunction may also take longer to clear this drug from their systems. So, for this reason, the FDA recommends that those with liver problems take initial doses that are a third or half of the usual beginning dose.
How can I get Oxycodone out of your system?
A few things may help to slightly speed up how quickly this medicine is processed and eliminated from the system. Once you have safely stopped the use of Oxycodone, you can speed up the medicine’s clearance from your body by eating a healthy diet, getting regular exercise, and staying well-hydrated.
Drinking plenty of water can help dilute the presence of the medicine in the urine, while physical activity and nutritious eating might help boost the metabolism of the treatment. To eliminate the drug, the first step is to stop taking medicine; however, you can never discontinue taking your medication without first talking to your medical professional. Because this medicine can result in physical dependence, you may experience symptoms of opioid withdrawal if you stop taking it suddenly.
Conclusion
The duration of Oxycodone remains in an individual’s system depends on the testing method, how quickly the body metabolizes the medicine and several other factors. It may even change an individual’s body over time. For an individual recovering from dependence, withdrawal symptoms tend to be relatively short-lived, though cravings can also last for a long duration. A medical professional can offer guidance about how long an individual can expect this medicine to remain in the body.