A drug called Percocet is used to treat the signs and symptoms of moderate to severe pain. The drug combines oxycodone, an opioid painkiller, and paracetamol, a non-opioid painkiller. By acting on the brain, oxycodone changes how your body experiences and responds to pain. Additionally, paracetamol can lower a fever. Due to the euphoric high induced when Percocet is taken in higher dosages, it does have a risk of abuse, just like many other opioid drugs. The use and abuse of this substance should be avoided. Only when prescribed by a medical practitioner and in the specified dosages, should this medication be taken.
How long does Percocet stay in your system?
The drug’s elimination half-life plays a role in how long a Percocet stays in your bloodstream. The half-life is the period of time it takes for a substance’s blood concentration to drop by half. The estimation of the start of withdrawal symptoms provided by the elimination half-life is also useful. With a half-life of only 3.5 hours, oxycodone is a short-acting opioid; more on this later. Since oxycodone is an immediate-release, short-acting medication, its half-life is thought to be between 3.2 and 4 hours. Acetaminophen, the other ingredient in Percocet, has a comparable average half-life of about three hours. Percocet is typically advised to be taken every four to six hours because the effects typically persist for four to six hours.
Age:
Adults over the age of 40 will process oxycodone more slowly than those under that age.
Use of Percocet for how long:
Once Percocet has been used repeatedly, it may build up in the body. This implies that the drug will continue to be detectable longer after the final dose.
Liver and kidney function:
The metabolism of Percocet is slowed down in people with poor liver or kidney function.
Your metabolism will determine how quickly Percocet leaves your system.
How much time does Percocet remain in urine?
Urine tests are frequently used to check for Percocet and are affordable, accessible, and easily available. The majority of urine tests will detect Percocet for 48 hours, although factors including Percocet intake and liver or kidney health may affect detection times.
How much time does Percocet stay in your hair?
For 30 days, Percocet can be found in hair testing. When there are worries about continued substance misuse, this type of testing approach is frequently employed.
How much time does Percocet stay in the mouth?
Up to 4 days after the final use, Percocet may still be found in the user’s saliva.
Half-Life of Percocet
The typical half-life of Percocet is 3.5 hours. A drug needs around 5 half-lives to completely depart the body. This indicates that it takes, on average, 19 hours for the entire dose of Percocet to leave the body. Chronic usage of opioids might cause traces of the drug to persist longer in fatty tissues.
Uses for Percocet
Also, see the Warning section.
Before beginning to use oxycodone/acetaminophen and each time you get a refill, read the medication guide that your chemist has provided. If you feel nauseous, taking this medication with food may be beneficial. Ask your doctor or pharmacy for more information on other ways to manage nausea, such as lying still for one to two hours with little head movement. Avoid eating or drinking grapefruit if you’re taking this medication unless your doctor or chemist says it’s okay for you. Speak to your doctor or pharmacy for additional details.
The Composition of Percocet
Oxycodone and paracetamol are the two separate active ingredients that makeup Percocet. Each ingredient in this medicine has a specific function. Colloidal silicon dioxide, crispation, croscarmellose sodium, microcrystalline cellulose, pregelatinized corn flour, povidone, and stearic acid are among the inactive components found in Percocet. Each Percocet dose also includes additional coloring ants of various types. FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Blue No. 1 Aluminum Lake, and FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake are common coloring agents.
Percocet Use Risks and Side Effects
In addition to understanding how long Percocet stays in your system, there are a number of risks and side effects associated with consumption. Most of these side effects will be absent or milder in those who are taking the drug as directed. On the other hand, individuals who use the medicine excessively or for recreational purposes may experience more negative side effects in general. One of the reasons why doctors frequently explore alternatives before prescribing this drug is because of the risks and negative effects of it. Consult your doctor if you have a prescription for this drug but the adverse effects don’t exceed the benefits in your situation. They may be able to recommend a more potent alternative drug.
You should become acquainted with the following Percocet side effects in addition to understanding the answer to the question, “How long does Percocet stay in your system?”:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Mood changes
The following more severe side effects may necessitate medical attention:
- Extreme nauseousness or vomiting
- Chest discomfort
- Hives
- Rash Itching
- Swelling of the eyes, feet, ankles, tongue, lips, nose, throat, and face
- Hoarseness
- Having trouble breathing
- Seizures
- Dizziness
While knowing the answer to the question “How long does Percocet stay in your system. For example, those with a history of liver issues are particularly vulnerable to developing liver damage while using this medicine. If you have any chronic illnesses, it’s crucial to discuss with your doctor if Percocet is safe for you.
There is a possibility that this prescription will lead to addiction or that you could experience liver damage from long-term usage in addition to these side effects, which can be an indication of an allergic reaction, overdose, or another severe event.
Names of Common Streets
There are problems with unlawful purchases of Percocet for recreational use because there is a chance for abuse. These are the slang names for this drug:
- Ercs
- Greenies
- Kickers
- M-30s
- Percs
- Rims
- Tires
- Wheels
- 512s
- Norco vs. Percocet
Some folks may inquire as to the distinction between drugs like Percocet and Norco. Another opioid painkiller is Norco. While hydrocodone is the opioid used in Norco, oxycodone is the opioid utilized in Percocet.2 According to research, Norco and Percocet both effectively alleviate pain and have a half-life of roughly 4 hours. If you are receiving medical care and are given a prescription for a painkiller like this, be important to discuss any potential side effects with your doctor and ask what they would advise given your medical history.
Timeline for Percocet Withdrawal
Each medicine has a different withdrawal period that varies greatly. The kind of interactions that the chemicals have with the body will determine everything. The length of withdrawal will also change according to the genetics and biology of each person. Uncertainty surrounds the duration of withdrawals.
By the second week, the majority of physical withdrawal symptoms usually go away:
Thus, addiction specialists now have a rough schedule to work with. The typical withdrawal timeline for patients will resemble the one shown below:
Days 1 through 3:
Given that Percocet has a relatively short half-life, the majority of medications start to leave your system in about a day. Your body will begin to react once you stop using medicines. Essentially, withdrawal symptoms are like this. The degree and intensity of the withdrawal symptoms usually peak on day one and continue to worsen until day three. Drug users should prepare for nausea or diarrhea at this time.
Days 4 through 7:
By this point, the physical withdrawal symptoms will have peaked. It will start to show new symptoms. The sleeplessness, chills, and cramps that are most frequently felt during this period are withdrawal symptoms. At this point, some drug users could also start to feel cravings.
Week 1 to 2:
The physical symptoms will start to go away after a week or two. The psychological withdrawal symptoms are the only ones still present. Typical signs of psychological withdrawal include anxiety and despair. In order to get through this time, counseling is necessary.
Weeks 3 and 4:
Most Percocet addicts won’t experience any further physical withdrawal symptoms at this point. Sadly, they’ll continue to fight psychological ones off. Physical withdrawal symptoms usually go away rather quickly. The withdrawal symptoms that tend to last the longest are psychological. The symptoms that drug users need to watch out for the most are these ones.
Overdose signs of Percocet
If taken in excess, the ingredients acetaminophen and oxycodone in Percocet all pose substantial health hazards. A strong overdose of paracetamol may possibly permanently harm the liver. When used in excess or when combined with alcohol, acetaminophen can severely stress the liver, resulting in liver failure and even death. If taken in excess, the oxycodone in Percocet can lead to significant breathing difficulties and, in extreme situations, can cause respiratory collapse. Additionally, there are more and more reports of fake pills that appear like prescribed opioids but actually contain fentanyl or methamphetamine. According to lab tests conducted by the US Drug Enforcement Administration, a potentially fatal ingredient is present in two out of every five fentanyl pills. This demonstrates that the only safe pharmaceuticals are those that are recommended by a reputable doctor and distributed by a qualified chemist. Whether or not additional narcotics are present, a Percocet overdose is a medical emergency that necessitates rapid medical care.