How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System, Blood And Urine?

Oxycodone stays in your system for varying lengths of time depending on the drug test and formulation.

• Immediate-release oxycodone has a half-life of 3.2 hours. This means your body eliminates half the dose in about 3.2 hours.
• Extended-release oxycodone has a longer half-life of up to 5.6 hours, which extends its elimination time.

While the effects of oxycodone wear off within a few hours, it takes several half-lives for the drug to leave the body completely. Detection times depend on the test type:

• Blood Tests: Detectable for up to 24 hours.
• Saliva Tests: Detectable for 1–4 days.
• Urine Tests: Detectable for 3–4 days.
• Hair Tests: Detectable for up to 90 days.

Oxycodone Detection Time Table

Test Type	Detection Window	Key Details
Blood Test	Up to 24 hours	Short detection window; used for recent use.
Saliva Test	1–4 days	Identifies recent oxycodone use.
Urine Test	3–4 days	Most common method for oxycodone detection.
Hair Test	Up to 90 days	Detects long-term use by analyzing hair strand growth.

 

Drug Testing Timelines

Oxycodone’s metabolites stay in the body longer than its effects are felt. Detection times vary based on age, metabolism, body mass index (BMI), and the type of drug test used. The primary testing methods include urine, saliva, hair, and blood tests.

Urine Tests: How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Urine?

Oxycodone is detectable in urine for 3–4 days after the last dose. Urine tests are the most common screening method because they are non-invasive and effective.

For frequent or heavy users, the detection window can extend beyond 5–7 days due to a buildup of metabolites like oxymorphone and noroxycodone. Individuals with kidney or liver conditions may take longer to eliminate oxycodone, further extending this timeframe.

Saliva Tests: How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Saliva?

Oxycodone can be detected in saliva for 1–4 days after the last use. Saliva tests are quick, inexpensive, and provide immediate results.

In some cases, oxycodone appears in saliva within 15–30 minutes after ingestion, making this method ideal for identifying recent drug use. Saliva tests are commonly used in workplace or roadside screenings where fast results are needed.

Hair Tests: How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Hair?

Oxycodone stays detectable in hair for up to 90 days or longer. It takes 7–10 days after the last dose for oxycodone to appear in a hair test.

Hair follicle testing provides a long-term record of drug use by detecting metabolites embedded in growing hair strands. This test is often used for identifying extended drug use histories, especially in legal or clinical settings.

Blood Tests: How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Blood?

Oxycodone can be detected in blood within 15–30 minutes after use and remains detectable for up to 24 hours. Blood tests measure the active presence of oxycodone in the bloodstream.

Due to the short detection window, blood tests are most effective for confirming recent use, overdose situations, or ongoing medical treatment.

What Impacts How Long Oxycodone Shows Up on a Drug Test?

The length of time oxycodone stays in the body depends on several factors, such as:

• Age – Younger adults clear the drug from their bodies faster than older adults, as blood plasma concentrations are 15% higher in older adults.
• Sex – Women have blood plasma concentrations of oxycodone that are 25% higher than men. Medical professionals do not yet know the cause of this.
• Length of use – Long-term oxycodone or other opiate users may take longer to eliminate oxycodone from their bodies than people who have only been using the drug for several weeks. This is partly because oxycodone can accumulate in fatty tissues in the body.
• Kidney function – Having impaired kidney function causes a person to clear oxycodone at a slower rate. Individuals with kidney problems have blood concentrations of oxycodone 50% higher than those with normal renal function.
• Dosage – How long oxycodone stays in your system depends on what its half-life is. If you take an extended-release form, you will likely test positive for a more extended period.

How Long Does It Take To Feel The Effects?

Oxycodone begins working within about 15 minutes after being taken orally with food and water. Regular forms reach their peak pain-relieving effects between 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion, with peak blood concentration occurring within one to two hours.

Extended-release versions take longer to act, with peak blood concentration reached in three to four hours. These forms provide sustained relief, releasing a second dose approximately seven hours later. Regular oxycodone is typically taken every four to six hours, while extended-release versions are taken every 12 hours for continuous pain management.

Oxycodone Withdrawal Symptoms

Long-term use of oxycodone can lead to dependence, as the drug changes how the brain and nervous system respond to pain. If someone stops taking oxycodone abruptly, withdrawal symptoms may occur.

Doctors typically prevent withdrawal by tapering the dosage gradually. However, individuals with chronic pain may misuse their prescription by taking higher doses or using the medication more frequently than prescribed. This misuse increases the risk of dependence and makes withdrawal more severe.

Abusing oxycodone is dangerous and can lead to serious health complications, including overdose. Proper medical guidance is essential to manage pain safely and prevent withdrawal or misuse.

Types of Oxycodone for Severe Pain Relief

Oxycodone is available in three main forms to manage severe pain effectively:

1. Immediate-Release (IR): Provides rapid relief and is often prescribed for short-term pain management.
2. Extended-Release (ER): Offers long-lasting pain relief, typically over 12 hours, for ongoing severe pain.
3. Combination Versions: Combines oxycodone with other pain relievers like acetaminophen or aspirin for enhanced effectiveness.

Common brands of oxycodone include Percodan, Percocet, Tylox, OxyContin, Roxicodone, Roxicet, and Endocet.

Contact Us Today

If you have become dependent on oxycodone and want support with detox or addiction treatment, we can provide professional medical advice.

We also have holistic treatment options to help people suffering from oxycodone addiction, drug abuse, and a range of other substance use problems.

Contact Cirque Lodge today to learn more about our oxycodone addiction treatment options and how we can support you in your recovery journey.

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Test Type	Detection Window	Key Details
Blood Test	Up to 24 hours	Short detection window; used for recent use.
Saliva Test	1–4 days	Identifies recent oxycodone use.
Urine Test	3–4 days	Most common method for oxycodone detection.
Hair Test	Up to 90 days	Detects long-term use by analyzing hair strand growth.