Percocet is a prescription opioid drug that relieves moderate to severe pain. This prescription medication contains both acetaminophen and oxycodone. Dentists might prescribe it after a procedure while doctors often use it after surgery or to treat chronic pain.
While Percocet has medical uses, it is known to be habit-forming and addictive. Unfortunately, many people abuse it to experience a drowsy and euphoric high. Once someone starts abusing Percocet, they are likely to develop a substance use disorder.
One of the main risks of Percocet addiction is a life-threatening overdose. The National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) reports that prescription opioids like Percocet were responsible for 16,706 overdose deaths in 2021.
If you or a loved one abuse Percocet, you might be wondering how long it stays in your system. Knowing this information could prevent you from taking too much at once and experiencing an overdose.
Typically, Percocet stays in your system for a little bit less than 24 hours. However, Percocet can be detected longer by drug tests. For example, urine tests can find Percocet in urine for up to 3 days after your last dose.
How Long Do the Effects of Percocet Last?
Whether you are taking Percocet as prescribed or abusing it, you might wonder how long it takes to kick in. You should begin experiencing the effects of Percocet within 10 to 30 minutes of consuming it. The amount of time Percocet lasts ranges from 3 to 6 hours.
The effects of Percocet include:
- Pain relief
- A rush of euphoria and an overall sense of wellbeing
- Dry mouth
- Stomach pain
- Drowsiness or fatigue
- Redness of the face or flushing
- Headaches
- Changes in mood
People who are addicted to Percocet might not feel the effects as long as those who use it as prescribed. This is because their bodies have built up a tolerance to the drug. Unfortunately, this can cause them to abuse larger doses of Percocet, leading to a risk of overdose.
If you or a loved one abuse Percocet, a drug rehab program can help. Treatment programs will offer medical detox, evidence-based therapies, and relapse prevention planning. These services will improve your chances of long-term recovery.
What is the Half-Life of Percocet?
To understand how long a drug stays in your system, you need to know what a half-life is. A drug’s half-life describes how long it takes your body to eliminate half of the substance. Usually, it takes 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be completely out of your system.
The half-life of the oxycodone in Percocet is about 3.5 hours. The acetaminophen in Percocet has a half-life of 2 to 3 hours. That said, Percocet usually leaves your system after 17.5 hours.
It is important to understand that the amount of time Percocet stays in your system can vary from person to person. For example, someone who has been abusing Percocet for years might have it in their system longer than a first-time user.
How Long Can Drug Tests Detect Percocet?
When you take Percocet, it leaves behind metabolites throughout your body. For example, the metabolites Percocet leaves behind are known as noroxycodone and oxymorphone. These chemicals are what drug tests look for to determine if you have abused Percocet.
Depending on what type of drug test is used, Percocet can be detected in your system for 18 hours to 90 days after your last dose.
Urine
Urine tests are the most commonly used drug tests because they are cheap and minimally invasive. Most jobs or treatment centers will use urine tests to check for drug abuse. Keeping this in mind, Percocet can be detected in urine for 3 days after your last dose.
Saliva
Saliva tests are less common because they provide a shorter window of detection. However, some employers use them for drug screening. Law enforcement might also use them to test whether you are under the influence in the field.
Typically, saliva tests can detect Percocet for up to 48 hours after your last dose.
Blood
Blood tests are not used as commonly as urine tests because they are invasive. They also have a shorter window of detection like saliva tests. However, doctors might use them in hospital settings to determine if a drug is contributing to your symptoms.
That said, blood tests can find Percocet in your system for up to 18 hours after your last dose.
Hair
Hair tests are the most reliable drug tests known to man. These tests look for drug metabolites left behind in your hair follicles. They might not be used as often because they can be expensive to send off to the lab.
Hair tests can detect any substance in your system (including Percocet) for up to 90 days.
Factors that Affect How Long Percocet Stays in Your System
Detection times can be affected by a range of personal factors. For example, if you have a liver or kidney condition, it might take longer than usual for Percocet to leave your system.
How long Percocet stays in your system depends on a variety of personal factors, including:
- Method of administration (i.e., snorting, smoking, injecting)
- Frequency and duration of use
- The dosage you are taking
- The speed of your metabolism
- Overall health
- Age, weight, and body fat percentage
- Whether you have liver or kidney conditions
- Hydration and nutrition levels
- Whether you’ve abused other substances
Get Connected to a Percocet Addiction Treatment Center
If you are suffering from Percocet addiction, Alamo Behavioral Health is here to help. We can help you overcome withdrawal symptoms with medical detox. Additionally, we treat the root causes of substance use disorders through evidence-based therapies and compassionate care.
Contact us today to learn more about our opioid detox and addiction treatment programs.
