How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Your System?

Oxycodone is a semi-synthetic pain-relieving opioid with a high potential for abuse. 

The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) classifies oxycodone as a Schedule 2 controlled substance. Opioid abuse is a terrible problem in this nation. 

So, you may be wondering, how long does oxycodone stay in your system? There are multiple reasons someone may want to know the answer to that question. Unfortunately, there is no single right answer. Healthcare professionals, athletes, and even employers can all benefit from understanding how long oxycodone stays in your system.

Here’s what you need to know. 

Who needs to know?

The most popular group of people who need to understand how long oxycodone stays in your system are healthcare professionals. Healthcare professionals treat many patients for accidents, chronic diseases, and routine medical care. They need to understand exactly which tests to run and what medications are safe when a patient may have previously ingested oxycodone.

Drug rehab professionals are among the medical staff who will need to understand how long oxycodone stays in your system. They are attempting to help patients overcome drug abuse and learn new coping skills for high-stress situations. They also perform routine drug tests to ensure patients are staying clean while working their program. 

Do professional athletes sometimes also want to know how long does oxycodone stay in their system? It is one of the most commonly abused drugs of choice and professional athletes understand that abusing the drug can have serious repercussions. Managers and agents of professional sports teams often perform routine surprise drug tests to catch athletes using illegally.  

How long does oxycodone stay in your system?

There are many variables that can directly affect the answer to that question. The size and metabolism of every person is unique, making it difficult to give a single correct length of time for oxycodone to metabolize. How well a person‘s organs function and how long they’ve been taking oxycodone can also play a role in how long the drug stays in their system.

That said, the single most important fact in determining how long oxycodone stays in your system is the type of test you’re taking. For instance, a blood or saliva test can detect oxycodone 24 hours after the last consumption while a urine test can often detect it up to 4 days after the last ingestion. A hair follicle test can detect oxycodone up to 90 days after the last consumption. 

Using General Benchmarks

Since the speed at which oxycodone is eliminated from the body is different for everyone, professionals tend to use industry benchmark standards. These are generally accepted benchmarks which are accepted by the medical community. Medical professionals, drug rehabilitation specialists, and employers often use the generally accepted benchmark standards understanding that the length of time to eliminate drugs from the body can be different for everyone.

Staying Safe

Oxycodone has a high potential for abuse and should only be used for a short time under strict medical supervision. Patients who have been prescribed oxycodone can quickly become physically dependent on the drug before they know it. The opioid epidemic has been fueled, at least in part, by the marketing and overprescribing of oxycodone. The drug is now reserved for managing intense pain such as that endured by cancer patients. If you have been prescribed oxycodone by a medical professional, you should take it only as prescribed. Don’t share your prescription and be sure to dispose of the drug properly to keep it out of the wrong hands.