How Long Does OxyContin Stay in Your System?

Oxycodone (OxyContin in generic form) is eliminated from the system in roughly 22 hours, but it may linger for longer depending on the type of test used.

OxyContin (Oxy) is a prescription opioid medication for pain relief that works by binding to opioid receptors in the central nervous system to reduce the perception of pain. However, there is a high risk of opioid addiction and physical dependence when Oxy is misused or abused. Understanding how long it takes your body to metabolize oxycodone, along with weighing its benefits against its risks, is crucial for your safety when using this prescription pain medication.

Oxycodone Drug Tests

The detection of oxycodone depends on the type of drug test administered. OxyContin drug testing can be conducted using urine, blood, saliva, or hair samples. However, OxyContin drug tests vary in accuracy and duration of detection.

Urine Tests

1 to 3 days

When subjected to a urine test, the presence of oxycodone can be detected within a timeframe ranging from one to three days following its last use. This screening method proves to be a reliable means of assessing recent oxycodone usage.

Blood Tests

15 to 20 hours

A blood test measures the concentration of oxycodone in the bloodstream, taking into account its elimination half-life. As with other drugs, oxycodone is typically cleared from the system within five half-lives, which translates to an estimated duration of 15 to 20 hours.

Saliva Tests

About 1 to 2 Days

Utilizing a saliva test, oxycodone can be detected for approximately one to two days after its most recent use. This testing approach offers a relatively short window of detection, establishing only recent instances of oxycodone consumption.

Hair Tests

Up to 90 Days

For a hair test, it may take a few days for oxycodone to manifest in the hair strands following its initial use. However, once embedded into the hair follicle, oxycodone can be detectable for an extended period, spanning up to 90 days after the last instance of use. This makes hair testing a valuable tool for assessing long-term oxycodone exposure.

Additional factors affect the accuracy of drug testing for opioids like oxy. A person’s ability to metabolize oxycodone will be influenced by their weight, age, liver function, overall health, and how long they have used the drug.

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Your System?

Oxycodone is a potent opioid painkiller that is extensively used to treat chronic pain and post-surgical discomfort. Known for its efficacy and rapid onset, this drug swiftly gets to work.

Most immediate-release formulas of oxycodone deliver relief within 10 to 30 minutes[3]. Immediate-release oxycodone is designed to provide rapid pain relief for severe conditions and is typically prescribed for short-term use. Its faster onset of action also means it is metabolized and eliminated from the body more quickly, which may reduce the detection widow in some drug tests compared to extended-release formulations.

In addition to its immediate-release formulas, oxy is available in long-acting formulations called extended-release oxycodone. These formulations are tailored to address moderate to severe pain conditions and typically take an hour to initiate their therapeutic effects.

The half-life of oxycodone denotes the time required for half the drug to be eliminated from the body. It takes approximately five elimination half-lives for a substance to be cleared from the system completely. In the case of oxycodone, its half-life is three hours, although this can vary based on individual factors such as genetics, age, weight, and overall health.

Various drug screenings are capable of detecting the presence of oxycodone, each with its own timeline for detection. The duration for which oxycodone remains detectable can differ depending on the specific type of screening used.

Oxycodone Abuse and Misuse

In the right context, Oxycodone can benefit many individuals suffering from moderate to severe pain. That said, it should be prescribed and used with great caution. Medical experts and pharmacological studies have explored the addictive and abusive nature of Oxycodone with the end goal of creating solutions that deter tampering with and misuse of this drug.

Abuse of oxycodone often involves altering its intended effects by crushing tablets and snorting, chewing, or dissolving them for injection. Misuse like this significantly increases the chance of overdose and can lead to life-threatening consequences such as respiratory depression, where breathing slows or stops entirely.

To combat these dangers of misuse, Abuse-Deterrent Formulations (ADF) of oxycodone have been developed [4]. These new formulas incorporate physical and chemical properties that make it more challenging to tamper with the drug.

For example, some ADF extended-release oxycodone products maintain their controlled-release properties even when crushed, while others form a thick gel, making it nearly impossible to inject. Despite these promising new improvements, ADFs are not entirely tamper-proof. Research [4] shows that while ADFs can deter certain methods of misuse, they do not wholly prevent abuse, particularly among individuals with a history of drug abuse and addiction.

Notably, immediate-release (IR) oxycodone is more prone to misuse than extended-release (ER) formulations. IR oxycodone delivers rapid pain relief, making it more appealing for recreational use compared to ER products. Studies [4] have also confirmed that those with a history of tampering behaviors are more likely to misuse any type of oxycodone (IR vs. ER), regardless of ADF features, which only affirms the need for stricter screening and due diligence on the part of the prescribing doctor to monitor their patients and take precaution.

Efforts to mitigate oxycodone misuse must extend beyond anti-tampering solutions, focusing on enhanced risk education for both patients and doctors and improving access to treatment for opioid use disorders.

Do You Have an Addiction to Oxycodone?

Recognizing the signs of addiction to oxycodone and oxycodone abuse is essential in seeking appropriate help and support. According to DSM-5-TR (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders)[1], the following 11 symptoms are indicative of opioid use disorder (oxycodone addiction):

1. Taking larger amounts of oxycodone than planned or using opioids for longer than intended.
2. Making unsuccessful efforts to control or discontinue oxycodone use.
3. Spending lots of time obtaining and using opioids or recovering from the effects.
4. Experiencing strong cravings for oxycodone.
5. Continued use of oxycodone despite persistent social and interpersonal problems triggered by its effects.
6. Giving up important activities due to opioid use.
7. Failing to meet personal and professional obligations due to opioid use.
8. Ongoing use of oxycodone in physically dangerous situations.
9. Continued use of oxycodone even though it is causing harmful physical or psychological conditions.
10. Developing tolerance to oxycodone, resulting in the need for larger doses to achieve the initial effects.
11. Experiencing withdrawal symptoms or taking oxycodone to avoid or relieve withdrawal symptoms.

If you find that you or someone you know experiences a significant number of these symptoms, it may indicate an addiction to oxycodone. Seeking professional help and support from addiction specialists or treatment centers like Gratitude Lodge can be a crucial step toward recovery and reclaiming a healthy, fulfilling life.

Get Help for Oxycodone Addiction at Gratitude Lodge

Whether you find yourself caught in the grips of oxycodone addiction through legitimate use or recreational abuse, Gratitude Lodge is ready to guide you toward a life beyond the clutches of this powerful opioid. Nestled in the serene landscapes of Southern California, our pet-friendly rehab centers are devoted to fostering holistic healing and helping individuals overcome addiction.

Our supervised medical detox program offers you the smoothest pathway to recovery, purging your system of oxycodone and other addictive substances. You can then seamlessly transition into one of our specialized treatment programs, tailored specifically for oxycodone addiction:

• 30-day inpatient program
• IOP (intensive outpatient program)

We understand that addiction rarely occurs in isolation and is often entangled with co-occurring mental health conditions. If you’re struggling with oxycodone addiction alongside a mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression, our Southern California dual diagnosis treatment program provides integrated, comprehensive care tailored to your needs.

Your journey toward recovery at Gratitude Lodge will be highly individualized and carefully curated to suit your unique needs. Our treatment plans draw upon a diverse range of evidence-based interventions, including:

• MAT (medication-assisted treatment)
• Psychotherapy, such as CBT (cognitive-behavioral therapy) or DBT (dialectical behavior therapy).
• Group counseling
• Individual counseling
• Family therapy
• Holistic therapy

Contact admissions today at 844-576-0144 and move beyond oxycodone addiction.

Sources

[1]https://www.psychiatry.org/psychiatrists/practice/dsm/educational-resources/dsm-5-tr-fact-sheets

[2]https://www.samhsa.gov/data/sites/default/files/reports/rpt39441/NSDUHDetailedTabs2021/NSDUHDetailedTabs2021/NSDUHDetTabsSect5pe2021.htm

[3] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482226/

[4] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/pds.70085