Oxycodone is a medication that is commonly prescribed to patients for pain. This drug is very effective in relieving pain for individuals for whom other pain medications have not worked or cannot be tolerated. However, because of the opioid content in oxycodone, this drug can be habit-forming and can lead to opioid dependency or addiction, especially when it is not taken as directed.
Because of this, many doctors only prescribe oxycodone to their patients when all other treatments have not helped with pain relief. Some hesitate to prescribe oxycodone at all because of its potential for addiction. When they do prescribe it, most doctors are careful to warn their patients about its dangers and also only prescribe it for short-term situations.
People who have been prescribed oxycodone may be curious about this medication. How does oxycodone work? How long does oxycodone stay in your system? How fast does oxycodone work? Is oxycodone recovery possible once a dependency has formed?
Read on for the answers to these questions.
How Does Oxycodone Work?
Oxoycodone is a common opioid. This drug is usually administered orally in liquid or capsule form. It offers pain relief quickly; most patients will experience pain relief in 30 to 60 minutes after taking the drug. Oxycodone is also available in a slow-release format. When patients take slow-release oxycodone, it may take as long as one to two days for them to experience the drug’s full pain relief benefits, but the relief will last longer.
Like other opioids, oxycodone acts on the central nervous system to relieve pain. It works by stimulating the body’s opioid receptors, thereby blocking pain signals that are being sent to the brain. This is very effective; many people who take oxycodone for pain report fast and comprehensive relief. In addition to actually muting pain itself, this drug helps to reduce the stress and anxiety that people experiencing pain feel as well.
Factors That Affect How Long Oxycodone Stays in Your System
As with any drug or other substance we consume, there are a variety of factors that can affect how long oxycodone stays in your system. For example, older adults tend to have a slower metabolism than younger people, so oxycodone will appear on drug tests longer for older individuals than for younger ones. Genetics also plays a part. Some people will metabolize oxycodone faster than others simply due to their genetics and overall constitution.
Overall health can play a part, too. Oxycodone is primarily broken down by the liver. Our liver and kidneys work together to remove toxins from the body, so if someone has liver or kidney issues, oxycodone will likely take longer to leave the body than it would for someone who is in optimal physical health.
Finally, of course, the formulation of the oxycodone will play a major part in how long the drug stays in someone’s system. The short-acting form will usually leave the body, for the most part, in several hours – although it could be detected by a drug test for a few days afterward.
Individuals who are prescribed the longer-acting form of oxycodone will find that the drug stays in their system far longer. That’s the goal of the longer-acting form, after all.
Oxycodone Half-Life and Breakdown Process
What is the half-life of oxycodone? The half-life of oxycodone is shorter than some might guess. But first, what is half-life when it comes to drugs and medications? The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the active portion of the substance in one’s body to be reduced by half. The half-life of oxycodone is just three to five hours for immediate release oxycodone, and is around 12 hours for slow-release versions.
How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in Different Parts of the Body?
How long does oxycodone stay in your urine? How long does oxycodone stay in your blood? How long does oxycodone stay in different parts of the body? The speed at which oxycodone is undetectable in the body varies based on the factors described above. However, for most people, oxycodone can no longer be detected in one’s urine one to four days after the last use. It’s only detectable in blood tests for about 24 hours.
Drug Testing and Oxycodone
How long does oxycodone stay in your system for a drug test? That depends on the type of test. As mentioned above, oxycodone can be detected in urine for one to four days after use and in blood for 24 hours after use. It can be detected in saliva tests for one to two days. However, it’s important to know that hair tests will show oxycodone use for as long as 90 days after use of the drug.
How to Speed Up Oxycodone Elimination from the Body
If you’re wondering how to get oxycodone out of your system, the best method is to stop using it and to wait. There is really no way to speed up the elimination of oxycodone from the body. You simply have to wait it out.
Risks of Prolonged Oxycodone Use and Dependence
Oxycodone is a drug that helps many people who need pain relief for severe acute and chronic pain. Unfortunately, although this drug is extremely helpful for those who need it, it also has a very high potential for abuse. Many people succumb to mental or physical dependence to oxycodone after even short-term use. Therefore, it’s crucial that oxycodone is used only under a doctor’s direction and supervision and that patients closely adhere to doctors’ instructions for its use.
Long-term treatment or recreational use of opioids like oxycodone can result in many physical issues such as heart and circulatory system complications, infections, respiratory issues, bowel issues, immunosuppression, serious fractures, increased pain sensitivity, and others. The more frequently one takes this drug, the more they will likely need to experience the same results, and overuse can lead to overdose and even death.
If you or someone you know has developed a dependency to oxycodone, help may be needed to break free from this dependency. Fortunately, help is available. Many people overcome addiction every day and go on to live happy, healthy, successful, drug-free lives. However, many users find that its difficult to overcome addiction alone.
At Transcend Ibogaine, we can help. Our innovative ibogaine treatment can help you or your loved one to break free from dependency on opioids or on other addictive substances and habits. This natural treatment will help you or your friend or family member to find the root of the addiction, thereby helping you or him or her to overcome addiction without painful withdrawal. Our clients leave our facility in Cancun, Mexico with little to no lingering desire to use.
Our friendly and experienced staff is standing by to answer your questions about ibogaine, our facility, and our methods. Please give us a call today. We can’t wait to meet you and to provide support to you so that you or your loved one can take the first steps on a clean, sober, and drug-free path to a better future.