How Long Does Hydrocodone Stay in Your System? A Comprehensive Guide

Wondering how long hydrocodone stays in your system? For blood tests, it’s up to 24 hours; urine tests detect it from 1 to 4 days; saliva tests can show it for up to 36 hours, and hair tests can detect it for up to three months. This article covers these timelines, factors affecting detection, and important information about hydrocodone metabolism.

Key Takeaways

• Hydrocodone detection varies by test type: up to 24 hours in blood, 1-4 days in urine, up to 36 hours in saliva, and up to 90 days in hair.
• Factors influencing detection time include metabolism, age, liver and kidney function, dosage, and duration of use.
• Both immediate-release and extended-release formulations of hydrocodone have different clearance times, with the latter lingering longer in the system.

How long does hydrocodone stay in your system?

Hydrocodone typically stays detectable in your system for varying lengths of time depending on the type of drug test:

• Up to 24 hours in blood
• 1 to 4 days in urine
• Up to 36 hours in saliva
• Up to three months in hair

These detection windows are influenced by individual factors such as metabolism, age, and other factors, including other medications taken.

Understanding these durations can aid in managing expectations and planning, especially for those concerned about drug tests, hydrocodone addiction treatment, or exploring opioid addiction treatment options.

Hydrocodone detection times by test type

Hydrocodone detection windows differ across different drug tests, influenced by sensitivity and test type. Recognizing these differences is important for anyone subject to drug testing, whether for employment, medical, or legal purposes.

Urine test

Urine tests are commonly used to detect hydrocodone because of their simplicity and effectiveness. For more context, see our guide on urine drug testing and detection timelines. Hydrocodone is usually detectable in urine for two to four days after use, making these urine screening tests reliable for identifying recent consumption.

Factors such as frequency of use, dosage, and individual metabolism can affect how long hydrocodone is detectable in urine. Additionally, hydrocodone metabolites may extend the detection window.

Blood test

Blood tests tend to have a shorter detection window for hydrocodone, usually up to 24 hours after ingestion. Often employed in clinical settings for immediate detection, hydrocodone can sometimes be cleared from the bloodstream as soon as nine hours after use.

Saliva test

Saliva tests can detect hydrocodone within a few hours of use and up to 36 hours after. This less invasive test is useful for identifying recent use in various settings.

Hair test

Hair tests have the longest detection window, capable of identifying hydrocodone for up to 90 days after the last use. This method is often used in forensic contexts and provides a comprehensive history of drug use.

Factors that influence how long hydrocodone stays in the body

Factors that influence how long hydrocodone stays in your system include:

• Metabolism
• Liver and kidney function
• Age
• Dosage
• Duration of use

These elements are critical to the drug’s clearance time and can vary significantly among individuals.

Metabolism and age

A faster metabolism and younger age generally lead to quicker drug clearance, while older adults may experience slower rates due to age-related metabolic changes and reduced organ function.

Liver and kidney function

Efficient processing of hydrocodone relies on healthy liver function. Impaired liver function or kidney function can slow the drug’s breakdown and elimination, impacting its duration in your system.

Dosage and duration of use

Higher or repeated doses of hydrocodone extend its detection time. Longer usage periods can also lead to drug accumulation, increasing its presence in the system and prolonging detection times.

How hydrocodone is metabolized in the body

The liver primarily metabolizes hydrocodone through cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2D6 and CYP3A4, which are important liver enzymes. It converts into its active metabolite, hydromorphone, through O-demethylation mediated by CYP2D6. Genetic differences in CYP2D6 enzyme function can cause variability in hydrocodone plasma concentrations.

Once metabolized, hydrocodone is predominantly eliminated via the kidneys. The half-life varies based on formulation, with immediate-release hydrocodone having a half-life of about four hours and extended-release forms ranging from seven to nine hours.

Half-life of hydrocodone: What it means for drug clearance

The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for its concentration in the bloodstream to reduce by half. For hydrocodone, this is about 3.8 hours, meaning it takes approximately five half-lives (around 19 hours) to mostly eliminate it from the bloodstream.

Short-acting hydrocodone generally remains in the body for about 20 hours, while long-acting formulations may take up to 45 hours to fully clear.

Extended-release vs. immediate-release hydrocodone

Extended-release formulations of hydrocodone, such as Hysingla ER and Zohydro ER, remain in the system longer than immediate release formulations like Vicodin and Norco, offering sustained pain relief with long acting hydrocodone.

Immediate-release examples (Vicodin, Norco)

Vicodin and Norco are common immediate-release hydrocodone products often combined with acetaminophen to enhance pain relief. They are usually prescribed hydrocodone for managing acute pain and take hydrocodone every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Opioid hydrocodone is frequently used in these formulations.

Immediate-release hydrocodone products typically take effect within one hour of ingestion, making them suitable for quick pain relief and demonstrating pain-relieving effects. However, hydrocodone use also carries addiction risks, including painkiller addiction, and should be used according to a doctor’s instructions.

Extended-release examples (Hysingla ER, Zohydro ER)

Hysingla ER and Zohydro ER are extended-release hydrocodone options for chronic pain management with the following features:

• Reduce dosing frequency to once or twice daily
• Provide long-lasting pain relief to relieve pain
• Designed to minimize overdose risk by avoiding rapid peaks in drug concentration

Extended-release hydrocodone products require careful dosing to avoid life-threatening respiratory depression and hydrocodone dependence. Crushing or chewing these prescription medication products can lead to rapid absorption and increased overdose risk.

How to get hydrocodone out of your system faster (and what not to do)

No proven, safe shortcuts exist to speed up hydrocodone clearance from your system. Staying hydrated and maintaining a nutritious diet can support overall kidney and liver health but do not significantly expedite elimination.

Regular exercise can enhance metabolism and improve circulation, but it does not substantially affect the liver’s processing rate of hydrocodone. Adequate rest and sleep are crucial for recovery, allowing efficient processing and elimination of substances like hydrocodone.

Avoid falling for detox myths or unsafe practices that promise quick results.

Can you fail a drug test because of hydrocodone?

Hydrocodone and other opioids will appear as opioid use on standard drug panels, which can impact employment or legal testing. A positive test indicates its presence in the system and may require further confirmation testing.

Certain medications, including common over-the-counter drugs, can cause false positives for hydrocodone in drug tests. Opioid tests do not specify the amount or type of opioid detected, so a follow-up test may be necessary to clarify results.

Additionally, eating foods containing poppy seeds can trigger positive results in opioid screenings, potentially causing misunderstandings in test outcomes.

Bottom Line: How long does hydrocodone stay in your system?

In summary, hydrocodone detection times vary by test type: up to 24 hours in blood, 1 to 4 days in urine, up to 36 hours in saliva, and up to three months in hair. Factors such as metabolism, liver and kidney function, age, dosage, and duration of use significantly influence how long hydrocodone stays in your system.

Understanding these variables can help manage expectations and plan for drug testing scenarios. Remember, there are no safe shortcuts to expedite hydrocodone clearance. Stay informed, use medications as prescribed, and seek professional advice if you have concerns about hydrocodone use or drug testing.

FAQs about hydrocodone in your system

How long does hydrocodone stay in your system?

Hydrocodone can be detected in your blood for up to 24 hours, in urine for 1 to 4 days, in saliva for up to 36 hours, and in hair for up to three months. It's essential to consider these time frames if undergoing drug testing.

Can you fail a drug test because of hydrocodone?

Yes, hydrocodone will result in a positive test for opioids on standard drug panels. It is crucial to disclose any medications you are taking prior to testing to avoid complications.

Does drinking water help flush out hydrocodone faster?

Drinking water does not significantly expedite the elimination of hydrocodone, although staying hydrated may help maintain overall kidney function.

Will exercise help metabolize hydrocodone more quickly?

Exercise does not significantly speed up the metabolism of hydrocodone by the liver. Therefore, relying on physical activity for faster clearance of the drug is not effective.

Can hydrocodone be detected after one-time use?

Yes, hydrocodone can be detected in urine or saliva for up to 24–36 hours after one-time use. Therefore, if you have used it, be aware that it may still appear in drug tests during that timeframe.

‍