How Long Does OxyContin Stay in Your System? Detection Timeframe and Factors

OxyContin is the brand name for the opioid pain reliever oxycodone. It’s prescribed to help with moderate to severe pain, such as post-surgical or cancer-related pain, or for pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments. OxyContin is an effective drug, but it has a risk of misuse, opioid addiction, and overdose.

If you’re taking OxyContin, it’s important to understand how long the drug stays in your system to avoid possible overdose or adverse effects from drug interactions. You should also know how long this drug will be detectable on a drug test.

What Is OxyContin?

OxyContin is the brand name for oxycodone, an opioid pain medication (narcotic painkiller) that’s used to treat moderate to severe pain. The drug contains oxycodone, which activates the opioid receptors in the nervous system. OxyContin is the extended-release version of oxycodone that’s taken every 12 hours regularly.[1] Unlike other opioids, OxyContin is intended for regular pain relief, not on an “as needed” basis.

Because OxyContin is a long-acting opioid, it can put you at risk for overdose and death. It’s typically prescribed for severe, persistent pain that hasn’t responded to other treatments. Generally, OxyContin is only prescribed to people who have demonstrated tolerance for opioids at a dose of at least 20 mg of oxycodone daily or an equivalent opioid medication.[2]

How Long Does OxyContin Take to Work?

Controlled or extended-release OxyContin releases oxycodone slowly and can take up to an hour to see the effects.[3] Immediate-release versions of oxycodone begin to work quickly, typically within 10 to 30 minutes. Taking the drug with food can delay the onset of effects.

Because of the potency of OxyContin, it should be taken as one whole tablet at a time at the prescribed dose. Tablets shouldn’t be crushed, chewed, broken, or dissolved, as this can lead to a potentially fatal overdose. You should never break an OxyContin tablet to inhale the powder or dissolve in a liquid to inject, which can result in death.

Effects of OxyContin

OxyContin is taken to relieve acute or chronic pain, but it’s a commonly misused drug for euphoria or other effects. Some of the effects of OxyContin include:[4]

• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Tiredness
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

There is a risk of more serious side effects with oxycodone, including:[5]

• Cold, clammy skin
• Noisy or shallow breathing
• A slow heart rate or weak pulse
• A light-headed feeling
• Confusion or unusual thoughts or behaviors
• Low cortisol levels with nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, worsening tiredness
• Seizures

Allergies to OxyContin are possible and have serious symptoms like swelling in the mouth or throat and difficulty breathing. OxyContin can also cause serotonin syndrome, a dangerous accumulation of serotonin in the body that causes symptoms like shivering, hallucinations, agitation, rapid heart rate, stiff muscles, loss of coordination, diarrhea, and vomiting.[6] Serotonin syndrome is a serious condition that requires emergency medical attention.

OxyContin Half-Life

The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes the body to eliminate the concentration of the drug by half. Drugs take about five half-lives to clear your system, which is a baseline to determine how long they stay in the body. OxyContin has an average half-life of 4.5 to 6.5 hours, but it may be detectable for longer periods.[7]

Several individual factors can affect how quickly your body eliminates OxyContin and its byproducts (metabolites), such as your age, weight, kidney or liver function, other drugs you’ve taken, alcohol use, or dehydration.

How Long Does OxyContin Stay in Your System?

OxyContin is an extended-release formulation so that it may stay in the body for longer periods than immediate-release forms of oxycodone. As mentioned, different factors affect how long OxyContin is present and detectable in the body.

Oxycodone is a Schedule II controlled substance, including the OxyContin form, because of its potential for abuse and addiction. Urine tests that are used for routine drug screenings may not test for oxycodone. However, some pre-employment drug screenings, such as those required by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), typically search for it.[8] It may also be tested for law enforcement, medical, or addiction treatment.

Urine tests can detect oxycodone use for 1-4 days after last use.[9] Saliva tests can detect oxycodone for up to 48 hours after last use.[10] Hair tests generally have the longest detection windows for oxycodone and other drugs, which is up to 90 days after last use.[11]

Factors That Influence How Long OxyContin Stays in Your System

OxyContin’s duration and detection time may be influenced by different factors, including:

• Age: Older adults metabolize drugs more slowly, so the drug can accumulate in their bodies and lead to longer detection times and more severe side effects.
• Formulation: OxyContin is a long-acting form of oxycodone so that it can stay in the body for longer periods than immediate-release oxycodone.
• Genetics: Individual genetics can affect drug metabolism and may metabolize oxycodone faster, especially in people with liver enzymes like CYP3A4 and CYP2D6.[12]
• Kidney health: Oxycodone may build up in the bodies of people with kidney disease or poor kidney function because they can’t eliminate it quickly.
• Liver health: Oxycodone is primarily metabolized by the liver, so it may be metabolized slowly in people with liver problems.
• Weight: Oxycodone is generally metabolized at the same rate despite differences in body mass, but people who are significantly overweight or underweight may metabolize the drug at different rates.

OxyContin Overdose

OxyContin, like all opioids, carries a significant risk of addiction, overdose, and possible death, especially when it’s used alongside other drugs that depress bodily functions like alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, or sedatives.[13] Altering the drug’s form, taking higher or more frequent doses, or combining it with other drugs can seriously increase the risk of a life-threatening overdose.

OxyContin overdoses are medical emergencies. The symptoms of an OxyContin overdose include pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, slowed breathing, or stopped breathing.[14] If you suspect someone is experiencing an opioid overdose, call 911 immediately and stay with them until help arrives. Administer naloxone if you have it, which may help to reverse the overdose.

OxyContin Withdrawal

OxyContin withdrawal can happen if you take the drug for long periods or misuse it, which causes your body to get used to its presence and need it to function. This is known as dependence. If you reduce your dose or stop taking OxyContin, withdrawal symptoms can occur:[15]

• Cravings
• Diarrhea
• Anxiety
• Rapid heartbeat
• High blood pressure
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Sleep problems
• Muscle aches
• Insomnia
• Stomach cramps
• Sweating

Typically, withdrawal symptoms from oxycodone begin 12-36 hours after last use and peak around day 3-4, but it may take longer with an extended-release form.[16] The withdrawal period depends on how long you’ve been using the drug, the dosage you take, how often you take it, and if you use other substances with it, but the symptoms generally last 10-20 days.[17] Chronic withdrawal can occur and may persist for months or years, however.

OxyContin withdrawal isn’t considered life-threatening, but there is a risk of relapse from cravings and pain, as well as possible complications from the intense symptoms. You should never try to quit taking OxyContin on your own. Talk to your doctor about how you can stop taking OxyContin or reduce your dose safely. You may need medical detox to overcome withdrawal and an addiction treatment program.

Understand OxyContin Detection Time

OxyContin is an extended-release form of oxycodone that can stay in the body for longer periods. If you’re concerned about a drug test or potential interactions from OxyContin in your system, don’t stop taking it suddenly. Doing so can cause intense withdrawal symptoms, so always talk to your doctor about how to stop taking OxyContin safely.