Percocet Detection Timelines [INFOGRAPHIC]

ARTICLE SUMMARY:  Percocet can be detected in a standard hair drug test for 30-90 days. It is detected in urine and blood about a day after taking it, and in saliva for up to 6 hours. What influences these detection windows? Find the answers in our infographic below, plus learn more about other factors that influence detection of Percocet.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• Percocet Basics
• Percocet Detection Times
• What Influences The Detection Window?
• Your Questions

Percocet Basics

Drug Name: Percocet (Oxycodone and Acetaminophen)
Drug Class: Analgesic / Opiate
Street Names: Percs, Paulas, Roxi’s

Used to manage moderate to severe pain, Percocet is an opioid painkiller whose main active ingredient is oxycodone, a powerful opioid with high addiction potential. The addiction potential is so large, that according to the National Safety Council, you can develop dependence by taking your painkillers after only one or two weeks. In fact, Percocet is a Schedule II controlled substance by the DEA meaning that the substances in this schedule have a high potential for abuse.

Despite the fact that Percocet can lead you to addiction, the annually prescriptions for oxycodone products have escalating numbers during the past decade. This 2013 survey conducted by the National Institute on Drug Abuse showed that in 1991 there were 76 million opiod prescriptions, while in 2013 the number reached nearly 207 million.

Moreover, the National Survey of Drug Use and Health found that in 2016:

• 27.6 million people used a medication containing oxycodone
• 3.9 million people reported misuse of oxycodone

The American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) estimated out that 2 million Americans had addiction problems involving a prescription painkiller in 2016. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention claimed that more than 40% of all opioid overdose deaths in 2016 involved a prescription opioid medication. This means that about 46 people die ever day from opioid overdose.

Pecocet Detection Times

How long does Percocet can stay in your system? The amount of time Percocet stays in your system depends on the type of drug test used. The drug detection windows for Percocet go like this:

Urine: Usually, Percocet can be detected on a urine drug test about 24 hours from the last dose.
Saliva: Tests can detect Percocet in salive up to 6 hours after your last intake.
Hair: Percocet can be detected for up to 30-90 days on a hair follicle drug test, depending on the length of the sample.
Blood: This medication shows up on a blood drug test up to 24 hours after your last dose.

NOTE HERE: The information in this infographic should be used as general guideline only because the drug detection timelines in urine, saliva, hair, and blood can vary greatly by individual.

What Influences The Detection Window?

The time Percocet remains in your body is influenced by several factors including:

Age. Since your metabolism is faster when you are young, your body can eliminate drugs more quickly. This means that with age, our metabolism can become slower, and the drug can stay for longer periods in the system.

Metabolic Rate. The speed at which your body metabolizes food, liquids, and drugs will affect the Percocet stay in your system. If you have a slow body metabolism, Percocet may stay longer in your system.

Body Mass Index. People with high percentage of body fat eliminate drugs slower.

Frequency and Dosage. Detection window are longer for chronic and/or binge use.

Liver function. Liver health is essential in drug elimination process. Any liver problems can slower the process of drug elimination.

Your Questions

Hope that we have covered all important information on Percocet detection period. If you like to learn more, feel free to download our e-book The Definitive Guide To Drug Testing.

Also, if you have any questions about this Percocet infographic, post them in the comments section below. We are eager to answer all legitimate questions.

Reference Sources: NCBI: Laboratory Testing for Prescription Opioids
NCBI: Opioid Metabolism
PubMed Health: Percocet

About the author

Lee Weber

Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.