How long does oxycodone stay in your system is a question whose answer may vary depending on certain factors.
These factors determine how long the stimulant remains in a person’s body longer than another.
Thus, we’ll be taking a look at some of these factors and the various ways oxycodone can be detected during a drug test.
The same goes for the potential side effects it could have since there could be withdrawal symptoms when one stops taking it abruptly.
Our aim is to ensure that if you are on this prescription or thinking of asking your doctor, then should be well informed of what it is all about.
What is Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is a potent opioid drug gotten from the poppy plant.
The drug is prescribed to adults suffering from mild or severe pain especially pains that cannot be treated with other medications.
Specifically, patients suffering from trauma, cancer pain, injury, or who have undergone a major surgical operation take Oxycodone.
On ingesting the drugs, the pain the person perceives is reduced since oxycodone acts on the opioid receptors in the central nervous system.
The brand names for the immediate-release of oxycodone are:
- Oxy IR
- Oxaydo
- Roxybond
- Roxycodone
The brand names for extended or controlled release of oxycodone are:
- Xtampza ER (extended-release)
- OxyContin CR (controlled-release)
Combination of oxycodone with other medications can give rise to:
- Percocet: oxycodone combined with acetaminophen
- Xartemis XR: oxycodone combined with acetaminophen
- Oxycodone combined with aspirin
- Oxycodone combined with ibuprofen
Oxycodone is a federally controlled substance (C-II) because it has the potential for abuse and addiction.
This medication creates a euphoric feeling in the body by inciting the pleasure regions in the brain.
It is also a central nervous system depressant that gives deep relaxation and numbness.
For its ability to give a sense of well-being, a number of people have abused Oxycodone and taken it one step further by taking it in higher doses.
The aim is to heighten what is felt especially when it has been abused for long and the body has become tolerant.
How Do You Take Oxycodone?
Oxycodone is available as a capsule, a liquid solution or concentrated solution, regular tablet, or extended-release tablet.
It is an oral medication that is taken with food.
A low dose of this drug may be prescribed by the doctor, however, in cases where the pain continues or alleviates, the dosage may be increased.
If the dose is increased, the doctor’s tactic is to wean the patient from it gradually in a bid to reduce the drug’s addictive characteristics.
The gradual reduction also helps to reduce the withdrawal symptoms which the patient may experience when oxycodone is stopped suddenly.
How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in the Body?
The length of time Oxycodone is retained in the body varies from one individual to another.
In the same vein, the effect felt may vary.
An instance of this is the case of people who have built tolerance for the drug and as such, more require more dosage for its effect to be felt.
Also, its effect may be felt within 20 to 30 minutes after it has been taken.
Its peak concentration in the case of an immediate-release formulation is two hours after it has been ingested.
On the contrary, the extended- and controlled-release brands of this drug may take as long as three to four hours before their effect is felt.
Even before the effect of oxycodone clears from the body, its pain-relieving power will not be felt.
For this reason, doctors usually recommend that a single tablet be taken every four to six hours when pain is felt.
How Can Oxycodone be Detected?
The amount of time after the drug has been taken which it can be detected in these areas include:
- After the last dosage is taken, it could last between one to four days.
- After the last dosage has been taken, it could last between three to four days.
- In the hair, Oxycodone can be detected up to 90 days after it was taken.
- Oxycodone can be detected in the blood 24 hours after it has been taken.
Factors That Influence How Long Oxycodone Stays in the Body
There are a number of factors that determine how long oxycodone stays in the human body.
Some of these factors include:
1. Age:
It’ll take a long time before the effect of oxycodone wears off in elderly people who are above 65 years.
Young adults, on the other hand, will have a shorter time.
2. Liver function:
People whose liver and kidney are healthy will tend to metabolize oxycodone faster than those whose organs are failing.
3. Length of time Oxycodone has been taken:
An individual can who has taken oxycodone over an extensive period of time can have it accumulated in the fatty tissues.
As a result, it may take a longer amount of time before it is eliminated completely from the body.
Danger of Overdose
Now that you know how long it can take for oxycodone to stay in your body, you also need to know that there is a potential danger for an overdose.
The risk of an overdose by taking another dose before the last one wears out.
Some side effects that can be caused by this drug usage include constipation, confusion, low blood pressure, drowsiness, spasms of the stomach, and nausea.
Conclusion
The question of how long oxycodone last in the body has been answered extensively.
Thus, you can have an idea of the timeframe its effect will be profound.
Also, keep in mind that you should only take oxycodone as a pain reliever if it has been prescribed by your doctor.
The right dosage will be outlined and when you should get off the drug.
When this and many more have been put in place, you can enhance your state of health easily while also curbing that pain that may have made your day an unpleasant one.
