The excitement of shaking hands as you land the job you have been wanting is shattered as your employer hands you a piece of paper. It lists locations approved for your pre-employment drug screen. Your heart sinks – you know you can’t pass the test because of Percocet, which you do not have a prescription for.
Though it can seem like a pre-employment drug screen shouldn’t be necessary, the statistics say otherwise. In Tennessee, between 38% and 50% of all Workers’ Compensation claims are related to substance use in the workplace. Substance use also leads to high turnover, resulting in the employer spending an average of $7,000 in training a new employee.
At ReVIDA® Recovery, we understand how Percocet use can be stalling your progress at work. You may be wondering “How long after stopping use will I be able to pass a pre-employment drug screen?” Let’s talk about how long Percocet stays in your system.
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How Percocet Moves Through Your Body: Understanding Metabolism
Percocet is a prescription medication containing oxycodone and acetaminophen. It is often utilized for moderate to severe pain such as after major surgeries and in cases of chronic pain. When Percocet is taken orally, the body begins the process of metabolizing it. The person will feel the effects of the medication rather quickly while Percocet begins moving through the body.
Most Percocet is metabolized in the liver by the enzyme CYP3A4/5, around 45%. From there, Percocet breaks down into oxymorphone and noroxycodone. These metabolites are then excreted from the body through urination.
Percocet’s Effects: How Long Do They Really Last?
Depending on the dose of Percocet, the effects can be felt between 15 minutes to an hour. This also depends on the person’s opioid tolerance, food and water intake, and if they are mixing Percocet with other substances. The effects include:
- Drowsiness
- Relaxation
- Euphoria
- Pain reduction
These effects are initial and over time, other side effects may be noticed such as nausea and constipation. The longer Percocet is taken, the higher the risk of developing dependence. Those who take Percocet illicitly have an increased risk of developing dependence and a Percocet use disorder.
The half-life of Percocet is 3.5 hours. This means that after that amount of time, half of the medication will be metabolized. Percocet is also an immediate-release medication, limiting the time the effects are felt. On average, the effects of Percocet last around 5-7 hours.
How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System?
Despite the effects being short-lived, Percocet can stay in the system longer. This time can vary based on the type of drug test being conducted. The most common type is a urine screen, but other circumstances may denote other forms of testing. Let’s take a look at how long Percocet shows up on these tests.
Urine Testing
As we mentioned, urine screens are the most common type of drug test, especially for new employers. This is because the test is quick and non-invasive. There are different types of urine screens including 5-panel, 10-panel, and 12-panel. The higher the panel number, the more substances the test is looking for. Because Percocet is an opioid, all panels of drug tests will check for its presence. On average, Percocet can appear on a urine screen up to 3 days after the last dose.
Blood Testing
Blood testing for Percocet is inconvenient because it requires a medical professional and a lab. It is also invasive and can be painful. However, it is still a valid test when checking for the presence of Percocet. The window is short as most Percocet is metabolized within a day after the last dose. Blood tests conducted after 24 hours will more than likely be negative for Percocet.
Saliva Testing
Saliva tests can be beneficial as they are non-invasive and are typically low-cost. They also have the benefit of being able to get results if the person is unconscious and cannot consent to a blood test. In recent years, saliva tests have been gaining popularity due to being less likely to be adulterated. The oxycodone in Percocet has low protein binding, which increases the accumulation in saliva. Because of this, Percocet can be detected in saliva up to 2 days after the last dose.
Hair Testing
Hair follicle testing is often utilized to determine long-term substance use. This is because hair testing can detect substances for up to 3 months, and Percocet is no different. However, chemically treating hair such as bleaching or dyeing can alter these results. If the hair on the head has been altered, a sample will need to be collected from a different area of the body. Hair follicle testing can be expensive, which is why it is used for long-term cases.
Does Breastfeeding Impact Percocet Detection Time?
Many new mothers are prescribed pain medications such as Percocet, especially those who underwent a cesarean section. The detection time of Percocet in breast milk can vary depending on dose and frequency. A study showed that the peak concentrations of Percocet in breast milk were 1 to 2 hours after the last dose. Because dose and frequency vary, it was noted that levels could be detected after 4, 12, and 36 hours after 4, 9, and 11 doses. From this, it was estimated that 8% of the maternal dose of Percocet could be present in breast milk.
What Factors Affect How Long Percocet Stays in Your System?
There are different factors that can affect how long Percocet stays in your system. These include:
Taking other substances with Percocet: This can affect your metabolism and slow the process, making Percocet stay in your system longer.
The amount of Percocet taken: Percocet comes in different dosages ranging from 2mg to 10mg of oxycodone. Higher doses may take longer to metabolize, increasing detection time.
Your metabolism: Some people have faster metabolisms than others, affecting the time Percocet stays in the system.
Your overall health: Those with kidney or liver damage will take longer to metabolize Percocet.
Gender: Absorption of Percocet is higher in females than in males and increases with age.
Can You Remove Percocet From Your System Faster?
Despite what the internet says, there is no guaranteed way to remove Percocet from your system faster. Hydration, eating healthy foods, and getting proper rest can help you feel better, but metabolism does not speed up or slow down by doing these things.
It is possible to have an adverse reaction to Percocet. If this is the case, seek medical attention immediately. It can be an allergy or a reaction to one of the ingredients, which needs to be evaluated by a doctor. Trying to drink large amounts of water to flush the medication from your system will not help and can actually cause more harm.
Treatment for Percocet Use Disorder in Tennessee
If worrying about Percocet showing up on a drug test is holding you back, there is hope and help available. Percocet addiction rehab is the first step to taking back your health and mental well-being. You will learn the root causes of your Percocet use disorder and learn techniques to healthily manage stress in the future. Daily therapies in groups and individually will provide support and insight that can provide connections that you can lean on in times of need. Don’t let Percocet keep blocking your path – clear the way for a beautiful recovery.
Living with Percocet use disorder can feel like an endless cycle and stopping it may feel impossible. ReVIDA® Recovery understands the grip that opioid use disorders can have on a life, which is why our program is tailored just to this condition. Through outpatient therapy and Suboxone treatment, we have helped many find their success in recovery. Call us today at 423-631-0432 to learn more about our program offerings.
Reclaim your life.
