How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System?

Medically Reviewed by Johnelle Smith, M.D. on April 30, 2021

Oxycodone (OxyContin) is a prescription painkiller that can be detected in the urine, blood, saliva, and hair follicles. The length of time oxycodone remains detectable in the body can depend on the type of drug test and other personal factors related to your drug use.

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Your System?

On average, oxycodone can remain detectable in a person’s system for up to three days, depending on the type of test and other personal factors.

Oxycodone, also known by the brand name OxyContin, is a strong painkiller that belongs to a class of drugs known as opiates, or opioids.

After ingestion, oxycodone may be detected in the following:

  • urine samples
  • blood samples
  • oral fluids (e.g. saliva)
  • hair samples

What Is Oxycodone?

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic opioid drug derived from the opium poppy plant. This drug can come in the form of a tablet, capsule, or liquid solution.

Oxycodone acts in the body by depressing the central nervous system, which can affect breathing rate, wakefulness, heart rate, and blood pressure.

Common brand names for oxycodone include:

  • OxyContin
  • Percocet (with acetaminophen)
  • Percodan (oxycodone hydrochloride and aspirin)

Although commonly prescribed to treat severe pain, oxycodone is classified as a schedule II controlled substance. This means it has a high potential for abuse and addiction.

Oxycodone Detection Times

Oxycodone can be detected in the system for some time after the effects of the drug have worn off. The amount of time you can get a positive result for oxycodone use can vary.

Oxycodone detection times, by testing method:

  • urine tests: one to three days
  • blood tests: up to 24 hours
  • saliva tests: up to 48 hours (or two days)
  • hair tests: up to 90 days

Oxycodone will be detectable in oral fluids and the blood first. Urine testing is the most common method of drug testing.

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Hair testing, which can be useful for identifying chronic substance use patterns, can detect traces of oxycodone for months after your last use.

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Urine?

On average, a urine test will be able to detect oxycodone use for one to four days after your last dose.

Read more about detecting oxycodone in urine

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Blood?

Oxycodone will generally remain detectable in the blood for up to 24 hours. The action of this drug is effectively eliminated from the bloodstream within 22.5 hours.

Read more about detecting oxycodone in blood

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Saliva?

Oxycodone can be detected in oral fluids, such as saliva, for up to two days after your last use.

This type of test is commonly used to detect drug use after motor vehicle accidents where there is suspicion of drug involvement.

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay In Hair?

Hair follicles can contain traces of drugs like oxycodone for the longest period of time.

Oxycodone use may be detected in hair samples (from the head or body) for up to 90 days, or three months.

What Factors Can Affect Oxycodone Detection Times?

There are a wide range of factors that can shorten or lengthen the detection window for prescription opioids such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, and hydromorphone.

These factors include:

  • Frequency of use: Taking oxycodone regularly can increase drug tolerance and drug dependence—both of which can lengthen the detection window.
  • Amount of drug used: Larger doses of Oxy, or taking multiple doses, may take longer to be cleared from the system compared to small doses.
  • Body mass: Personal factors such as weight, height, and body fat can affect detection times.
  • Metabolism: Having a slow metabolism—due to old age, genetics, or health issues—can mean a longer detection window.
  • Overall health status: Certain health conditions, such as kidney or liver disease, can result in longer detection times.

How To Get Oxycodone Out Of Your System

Stopping your oxycodone use is the only reliable way to get oxycodone out of your system.

Contrary to popular belief, you cannot “flush” oxycodone—or any other drug—out of your system by drinking a lot of water, although hydration can affect testing cutoffs.

For people who are dependent on or addicted to oxycodone, quitting the drug isn’t easy. This can cause very uncomfortable withdrawal symptoms, such as vomiting and diarrhea.

Getting Off Oxycodone Through Detox

If you’ve been taking oxycodone for a long time, or abuse it for its effects, the safest way to get it out of your system is to enter a medically supervised detox program.

Within a detox program, healthcare professionals can:

  • provide medical supervision
  • treat you for withdrawal
  • connect you to additional inpatient or outpatient substance abuse treatment options

Treatment For Oxycodone Abuse And Addiction

Millions of people in the United States struggle with opioid abuse and addiction. Each year, the U.S. opioid crisis takes the lives of thousands, leaving devastation in its wake.

Overcoming oxycodone addiction is possible with treatment. If you’re addicted to oxycodone, an inpatient rehab program may be recommended.

Treatment programs for oxycodone addiction can offer:

  • medically supervised detox
  • medications for opioid use disorder (e.g. methadone, buprenorphine, naltrexone)
  • behavioral therapies

If you or a loved one is abusing oxycodone, now’s the time to seek help. Call our helpline today to learn more about oxycodone addiction and to find opioid addiction treatment options near you.

This page does not provide medical advice. See more

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Medically Reviewed by
Johnelle Smith, M.D. on April 30, 2021
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