How fast is hydrocodone out of your system

Short-acting hydrocodone has a half-life of about four hours. With hydrocodone, it usually takes your body about five half-lives to completely excrete it. That translates into about 20 hours after the last dose. Long-acting hydrocodone is an opioid analgesic prescription painkiller used to manage severe pain. The patient needs daily long-term and around-the-clock pain relief for which other treatments have proven ineffective. The long-acting formulation takes longer to flush out than its short-acting cousin.

These powerful pain medications achieve maximum pain relief in about five hours. They maintain that level of effectiveness for up to 30 hours. A variety of factors influence how long this medication remains in your body. Here are some of the factors we know about. There may be others:. There are several tests available to detect the presence of hydrocodone in your system:. This is not the case. Hydrocodone can still be detected in your body whether you feel the effects or not.

A drug test measures the amount of drug breakdown product in the body. The detection cutoff level depends on the test used for measurement and on the lab that performs the test. The urine test is the most common hydrocodone detection tool. Testing can detect the presence of hydrocodone in saliva within 12 to 36 hours after the last dose. How long does hydrocodone stay in your blood? Hydrocodone blood levels peak at about 1. These levels are detectable in the blood for up to 24 hours after intake.

Newer studies suggest that for the average person, this opioid does not deliver a state of euphoria as traditionally believed. Moreover, the first time they try hydrocodone, many patients report feeling worse, not better. Hair —Drugs can remain in hair follicles for a prolonged period.

Drug tests can detect many drugs, including hydrocodone, for up to 90 days after a person has discontinued using them. It is crucial to note individuals process substances at different rates. Frequency and Amount Used —The bodies of persons who have used Lortab for a prolonged period or typically take a high dose will take longer to eliminate the drug from their system.

Age —Older persons are often not able to metabolize opioids as efficiently as younger individuals. Polysubstance Use or Abuse —Some substances can cause adverse reactions when used in conjunction. A person who has more than one substance in his or her body may not be able to metabolize each drug as fast or effectively.

Other substances may include other prescription medication, illegal drugs, alcohol, and even some over-the-counter medications. It is most commonly used for treatment of chronic pain, and is prescribed as Lortab or Vicodin. How Hydrocodone Works Hydrocodone is prescribed to be taken by mouth, and therefore must pass through the digestive system before you will feel its effects.

How Long Hydrocodone Lasts The life of a drug is measured by its half-life, or how long it takes the body to metabolize half of the drug. Body composition, including body fat content and weight. Dosage of hydrocodone is relative to height and weight. Genetics play a role in how a person processes and reacts to hydrocodone. Function of the kidney and liver.

These are key organs for processing and eliminating anything from the body, including drugs. Any damage to or issues with either organ will make the elimination process take longer. Frequency of use. A person who has been using for months or years is going to take longer to eliminate the drug from their system when compared with a person who has only taken one or two doses. Treatment It is important to get the right treatment.

List of Partners vendors. Hydrocodone is prescribed for people with severe pain. It is an opiate analgesic that works by changing the way the brain and nervous system respond to pain.

Besides hydrocodone alone, there are also prescription products such as Vicodin , Lorcet, and Norco that combine hydrocodone with acetaminophen, ibuprofen, aspirin, and in some cases, antihistamines. Hydrocodone is a Schedule II drug, meaning it has a high potential for misuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence. It can be detected for only a few days with most tests, but like many other drugs, it can be detected for up to three months with a hair follicle test.

Knowing how long hydrocodone affects your system and how long it takes to eliminate it can help avoid dangerous interactions with other medications, side effects, and risk of overdose. When you are first prescribed hydrocodone, your doctor will gradually adjust the dosage, ensuring you can tolerate it. It also comes in extended-release capsules and tablets that can be taken once or twice daily. Hydrocodone begins to work in 20 to 30 minutes, with the peak effects in 30 to 60 minutes, then continuing for four to six hours.

The effects of extended-release formulations last a little longer, typically up to 12 hours. Common side effects of hydrocodone include:. If you experience any of the following serious side effects, call your doctor immediately. Some of these could be a sign of an allergic reaction. Hydrocodone has a half-life of just under four hours, meaning it takes that long to eliminate half of the dose of the drug. It is metabolized in the liver and eliminated through urine.

A variety of factors play a role in determining exactly how long hydrocodone takes to be eliminated by the body and removed from your system. If you have been prescribed hydrocodone and must take a drug screening test, be sure to disclose your prescription to the testing laboratory.

For most healthy individuals, it will take one day for hydrocodone to fully clear the blood. Hydrocodone passes through to the urine where it can be detected for two to four days after a dose. The drug can be detected in a saliva test for up to 36 hours after the last dose is taken. Hydrocodone can be detected much longer with a hair follicle drug test—up to 90 days. There are a number of different factors that can play a role in how long hydrocodone remains in your system, including frequency of use, dosage, age, metabolism, and overall health.