How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System? Signs of Percocet Abuse

How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System? Your metabolism, the amount you take, and how long you’ve been taking Percocet all play a role in determining how long the drug stays in your system. Normal detection times for Percocet are up to 4 days in urine, 24 hours in blood, and 90 days in hair.


Percocet is a painkiller that is only available with a doctor’s prescription. It combines oxycodone, a potent opioid painkiller, and acetaminophen. It is often given to people with moderate to severe pain. Knowing how long Percocet stays in the body is vital for several reasons, like drug tests or determining whether two drugs might interact badly. Also, knowing the signs of Percocet abuse is essential for finding people who may be misusing the drug or becoming dependent on it. This article discusses how long Percocet stays in the body and points out signs of Percocet abuse.

How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System?

The length of time that Percocet stays in the body depends on several things. Oxycodone, the main active ingredient in Percocet, has a half-life of about 3 to 4.5 hours. This means it takes that long for the body to get rid of half of the drug. But it may take more than one half-life for the Percocet to leave the body.

Different kinds of drug tests have different times when Percocet can be found:

  • Percocet can be found in the urine for up to three days after the last use.
  • Percocet can be found in the blood for up to 24 hours with a blood test.
  • Percocet can be found in the saliva for up to four days.
  • Percocet can be found in hair follicles for up to 90 days because hair keeps drug traces for longer.

How long does one Percocet stay in your system?

One Percocet tablet, roughly speaking, will probably be detectable in urine for about a day and a half to three days after ingestion. The detection window for drugs in blood and saliva is significantly shorter, at most 24 hours and 1-4 days, respectively. Percocet can be detected in a person’s hair for up to 90 days, thanks to the test’s extended detection window.

What is The Half-Life of Percocet?

Percocet’s oxycodone and acetaminophen are responsible for its long half-life. As an opioid, oxycodone, found in Percocet, has a half-life of about 4.5 hours. That’s how long it takes for half of the drug to leave the body after it’s been taken. Acetaminophen, the non-opioid component, has a shorter half-life of 1 to 4 hours.

Factors such as age, liver function, metabolism, and concomitant medication or substance use can cause a wide range in half-life. Furthermore, Percocet contains a combination of these two drugs so that both components may influence the overall half-life of the medication.

Knowing the drug’s half-life is essential to calculate how long does Percocet stay in your system will have an effect and how long it will remain in the body. It can also aid doctors and nurses in planning dosages and keeping tabs on the drug’s progress. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about the effects of Percocet on your body.

How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System & How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your Urine Chart

Perocet Drug TestPercocet Time in System
Blood1 day
HairUp to 30 days
Urine2 days on average (but can extend to 10+ days for heavy users)
The how long does Percocet stay in your urine and system chart above shows that the detection times, usually 2 days, can go up to 10 or more days for people who use the drug often and for a long time.

Percocet Drug Facts

Percocet is a strong pain reliever of the opiate family that is typically prescribed to treat moderate to severe pain, including severe short-term or chronic pain that is not relieved by other pain medications. Common side effects of Percocet may include dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, constipation, and confusion. Furthermore, Percocet can be habit-forming, and repeated medication use can lead to addiction.

How Long Does Percs Stay in Your System?

Percs, also known as Percocet, can stay in your system for up to 48 hours after the last dose.

How long does Percocet stay in your system? The period it stays can be longer for those people who are chronic, heavy users, as opioids will have been absorbed by the body’s fatty tissues if there is more Percocet in the body than the liver can process.
How long does Percocet stay in your system? The period it stays can be longer for those people who are chronic, heavy users, as opioids will have been absorbed by the body’s fatty tissues if there is more Percocet in the body than the liver can process.

How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System & How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your Urine?

Percocet, a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, can typically stay in your system for two days on average. However, this can vary depending on age, weight, genetics, liver health, kidney function, the amount and frequency of use, and other coexisting medical conditions.

In terms of how long does Percocet stay in your urine, a chart showing the detection times is as follows:

  • For occasional or low-dose use (less than four days): Percocet may be detected in urine for 2-4 days.
  • For moderate use (4-7 days): Percocet may remain detectable in urine for up to 5-7 days.
  • For chronic use or high doses (more than seven days): Percocet can often be detected in urine for 2-3 weeks.

Drug screening tests can detect the presence of Percocet even after it has left your system, so it’s crucial to inform healthcare providers of any current or past drug use as a precaution.

Generic Name: Acetaminophen and Oxycodone [ a-SEET-a-MIN-oh-fen-and-OX-i-KOE-done ]
Drug Class: Narcotic analgesic combinations

Percocet Drug Warning

If you combine Percocet with alcohol or other medicines that make you sleepy or slow your breathing, fatal adverse effects could result.

Oxycodone (present in Percocet) may cause life-threatening withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother has taken Percocet during pregnancy.

If you get skin redness or a rash that worsens and leaves you with blisters and peeling, stop taking this medication and immediately contact your doctor.

How Long Does Percocet Last?

Typically, Percocet can last up to five hours. Its effects can also vary depending on the dosage and whether or not it is combined with other drugs or alcohol.

Percocet Time Line

A general timeline for the effects of Percocet, a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen, on the body:

  • The medication takes effect within 30 minutes to an hour after taking Percocet orally, and peak blood levels are typically reached within 1-2 hours.
  • Percocet’s analgesic and pain-relieving effects usually last between 4-6 hours.
  • The half-life of oxycodone, the active ingredient in Percocet, is around 3-4 hours in a healthy adult. This means it takes approximately that amount of time for one half of the dose to be eliminated from the body. However, it can take longer for specific individuals.
  • As mentioned earlier, Percocet can typically stay in your system for around 3-4 days, but this can vary depending on various factors.
  • The duration of the effects of Percocet may also vary depending on the individual’s tolerance, the amount and frequency of use, and other coexisting medical conditions. It is vital to follow the dosing instructions and precautions a healthcare provider provides.

Percocet’s effects can last from 6 to 12 hours, depending on how much you take and how your body breaks down the drug. It can take up to 24 hours for the drug to be fully metabolized and out of your system. This means that drug tests done after 48 hours may still show a positive result for the drug.

Ryan Zofay forming a circle and hugging friends.

Get Your Life Back

Find Hope & Recovery. Get Safe Comfortable Detox, Addiction Rehab & Dual Diagnosis High-Quality Care.

Hotline (855) 695-1160

Percocet Abuse Statistics

The potent painkiller oxycodone in Percocet and OxyContin is one of the nation’s most widely utilized prescription medications. Success in avoiding opioid overdose deaths depends on cooperation. Medical personnel, emergency rooms, first responders, public safety officials, mental health and substance use treatment providers, community-based organizations, public health, and community members contribute knowledge, resources, and expertise to address this rapidly spreading epidemic.


92,000

Nearly 92,000 persons in the U.S. died from a drug-involved overdose in 2020, including illicit drugs and prescription opioids, including Percocet.

Source: CDC

2 Million

Around 2 million Americans abuse opioids, and every day, on average, over 90 Americans pass away from an opioid overdose.

Source: CDC

30%

Since 1999, there have been five times as many deaths from opioid overdoses. This increase from 2019 to 2020 was about 30%.

Source: CDC


Get Help. Get Better. Get Your Life Back.

Searching for an Accredited Drug and Alcohol Rehab Centers in Near You?

Even if you have failed previously and relapsed, or are in the middle of a difficult crisis, we stand ready to support you. Our trusted behavioral health specialists will not give up on you. When you feel ready or just want someone to speak to about therapy alternatives to change your life call us. Even if we cannot assist you, we will lead you to wherever you can get support. There is no obligation. Call our hotline today.

FREE Addiction Hotline – Call 24/7
In System

How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System for a Drug Test? 

Many people wonder, “How long does Percocet stay in your system?” because they fear a drug test or don’t want their drug use to be found in other ways. Even though oxycodone, the active ingredient in Percocet, can stay in the body for up to 48 hours, one study found that people who don’t use the drug often have a shorter detection window (about 30 hours). The active ingredient in Percocet, oxycodone, can stay in the body for up to 48 hours. However, one study found that people who don’t use the drug often have a shorter detection window (about 30 hours).

People who take Percocet might worry about how it will show up on drug tests at work. “How long does Percocets stay in your system?” is a question many people who take the drug ask. They may also wonder how long it stays in breast milk and how long it takes for withdrawal symptoms to disappear as oxycodone leaves the body. How long does it take for a Percocet to leave your body? Most painkillers, like Percocet, have short half-lives, meaning they leave the body quickly, but their effects can last several hours. How long drug tests can find each opiate depends on many things, such as how it was taken.

Factors that Influence “How Long Does Percocet Stay in System for Drug Test”

“How long does Percocet stay in your system?” you might ask. But it depends on several things, such as:

  • How much.
  • How a person takes it (by mouth, through their veins, or their nose).
  • How fast a person’s body works.
  • How many times do you take it before you stop?
  • How big they are.
  • The age of.
  • Any other drugs the person is taking, as can stop the body from breaking down Percocet and cause the drug’s levels in the blood to rise.

Finding the answer to “How long do Percocets stay in your system?” The testing method is vital because Percocet can stay in the urine, hair, and breast milk long after it stops working.

Urine Test

Percocet Urine Test

How long does a Percocet stay in your body and urine? The most common drug test for Percocet can find the drug in the urine after use. But simple urine tests like immunoassays may not be able to find semi-synthetic opioids like Percocet. Newer ways to test urine, like gas chromatography or mass spectrometry, are more sensitive and can find semi-synthetic opioid use more accurately. How long does Percocet stay in your system when you take a drug test? Percocet can be found in the urine for 96 hours, starting two hours after the first dose.

How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your Urine?

Do you want to know, “How long does Percocet stay in your urine”? Percocet usually stays in your urine for one to four days and has a half-life of four hours. How long a Percocet stays in your urine and body depends on several things, like your age, sex, and how often you use drugs. The drug can usually be found in your urine for up to four days. But for people who use drugs all the time, it can stay in their bodies for up to a week. It’s important to know that the time it stays in your urine and body can change depending on how it’s tested.

Did you know that Percocet stops the brain from receiving pain signals? It also affects other parts of the central nervous system, including those feeling pleasure. This is why it can cause people to get used to it and become addicted. The drug can be taken by mouth or through the cervix, but it is usually given as a liquid or tablet. When taking the medicine, it is best to do what your doctor says. How long does it take for a Percocet to leave your body? It depends on many things, like the user’s health and how much and how long they take Percocet.

Blood Test

Percocet Drug Test – Blood Test

How long do Percocet and its effects stay in your body and blood? It doesn’t stay in the blood for more than 24 hours. The long-term test is hair analysis, showing if oxycodone has been building up in the follicles for a month or more. So, how long does Percocet stay in your system? The drug can be found in the blood after about a day. Drug tests that are more accurate can confirm that Percocet (oxycodone) was taken, but not the drug itself. This can make it take longer for the test to work.

Hair Test

Percocet Hair Follicle Test

How long do Percs stay in your body, particularly in your hair? Percocet (Oxycodone), like most drugs, can be found in the hair for a long time. But hair testing is usually used to find out about heavy, long-term use, so it might need to be more accurate for short-term tests.

First-class Facilities & Amenities

World-class High-Quality Addiction & Mental Health Rehabilitation Treatment

Rehab Centers Tour

Renowned California Addiction Center. Serene Private Facilities. Inpatient rehab programs vary.

Addiction Helpline (855) 695-1160

Proven recovery success experience, backed by a Team w/ History of:

15+

Years of Unified Experience

100s

5-Star Reviews Across Our Centers

10K

Recovery Success Stories Across Our Network

  • Low Patient to Therapist Ratio
  • Onsite Medical Detox Center
  • Comprehensive Dual-Diagnosis Treatment
  • Complimentary Family & Alumni Programs
  • Coaching, Recovery & Personal Development Events

Dangers Of Percocet

Like other opioid medications, Percocet can be dangerous if used incorrectly or without a doctor’s supervision. For safe use, know about these possible risks. Here are some of the problems that can come from taking Percocet:

  • Addiction: Oxycodone, which is in Percocet, is a very addictive opioid. If you use Percocet too much or for too long, you can become physically and mentally dependent, making it hard to stop without professional help.
  • Respiratory Depression: Breathing too slowly or not enough is one of Percocet’s most dangerous side effects. Taking high doses of Percocet or other drugs that slow down the central nervous system, like alcohol or benzodiazepines, can increase the risk of respiratory depression, which can be life-threatening.
  • Overdose: The risk of overdose increases if you take more Percocet than your doctor told you to or mix it with other drugs. If you don’t treat an overdose right away, it can cause severe breathing problems, loss of consciousness, and even death.
  • Physical Side Effects: Percocet can make you sleepy, dizzy, have trouble going to the bathroom, feel sick, or throw up. It could also have long-term effects on the liver and kidneys if used too much or too long.
  • Drug Interactions: Percocet can have bad effects when taken with other drugs, like certain antidepressants, antihistamines, and sedatives. This can cause side effects or make the drugs less effective. It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking to avoid dangerous interactions.
  • Withdrawal symptoms: If you suddenly stop or cut back on Percocet use after using it for a long time, you may experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be painful and upsetting. Some of these symptoms are restlessness, anxiety, muscle aches, trouble sleeping, and signs of the flu.

World-class, Accredited, 5-Star Reviewed, Effective Addiction & Mental Health Programs. Complete Behavioral Health Inpatient Rehab, Detox plus Co-occuring Disorders Therapy.

CALL (855) 695-1160

End the Addiction Pain. End the Emotional Rollercoaster. Get Your Life Back. Start Drug, Alcohol & Dual Diagnosis Mental Health Treatment Now. Get Free No-obligation Guidance by Substance Abuse Specialists Who Understand Addiction & Mental Health Recovery & Know How to Help.

Pink Cocaine Addiction Treatment

At We Level Up, we help people addicted to Percocet get off of it by giving them complete treatment for their addiction. Our treatment plans are made to deal with the physical, mental, and emotional parts of addiction.

Our approach to treating addiction is a mix of therapies and services that are made to fit the needs of each person. This could mean:

  • Medical Detoxification: We give people a safe, supervised place to get off Percocet while they deal with withdrawal symptoms. Our medical team closely monitors the process to ensure it is safe and comfortable.
  • Individual counseling: Our experienced therapists work one-on-one with clients to help them figure out the root causes of their addiction, devise ways to deal with it, and deal with any mental health problems happening simultaneously.
  • Group therapy: During group therapy sessions, people can talk about their experiences, learn from each other, and build a strong support network.
  • Behavioral Therapies: Therapies that have been shown to work, like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI), help people recognize and change negative thought patterns, learn healthy ways to deal with problems and improve in the long run.
  • Holistic Approaches: We use yoga, meditation, art therapy, and mindfulness practices, among other things, to improve overall health and give people other ways to deal with stress and cravings.
  • Planning for Aftercare: Our treatment program includes thorough planning for aftercare to help people get back into everyday life. This could include ongoing therapy, support groups, and ways to avoid falling back into old habits.

At We Level Up, our team of professionals works hard to provide caring care and help people take back control of their lives. If you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to Percocet, we are here to help you get better.

Experience Transformative Recovery at the We Level Up California Treatment Center.

See our authentic success stories. Get inspired. Get the help you deserve.

We Level Up Treatment Centers for Drug Alcohol Rehab Detox Behavioral Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Therapy We Level Up Treatment Centers for Drug Alcohol Rehab Detox Behavioral Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Therapy We Level Up Treatment Centers for Drug Alcohol Rehab Detox Behavioral Mental Health Dual Diagnosis Therapy
Hotline (855) 695-1160
Voluntarily testimonials from the We Level Up Treatment Center network vary. Not intended as a guaranteed treatment or outcome as each person's journey is unique.

Start a New Life

Begin with a free call to an addiction & behavioral health treatment advisor. Learn more about our dual-diagnosis programs. The We Level Up treatment center network delivers recovery programs that vary by each treatment facility. Call to learn more.

  • Personalized Care
  • Caring Accountable Staff
  • World-class Amenities
  • Licensed & Accredited
  • Renowned w/ 100s 5-Star Reviews

We’ll Call You


Watch How He Turned Around His Life From Drug Addiction

“Hi, my name is Sean; I have been clean since September 26, 2014. I remember and reflect on loneliness, despair, and constant anxiety-ridden behavior. I was left to my own devices and looking to the left and right.

And not having anybody to call or talk to. I know it’s cliche; I know a lot of people say it. I would have sold myself extremely short of my life today. If I had tied myself to the material items, I wouldn’t have realized the life I wanted. And I’m forever grateful for the guidance I received.”

Search Drug & Alcohol Rehab / Detox & Mental Health. How Long Does Percocet Stay in Your System? Signs of Percocet Abuse Topics & Resources

Sources
  1. [1] Drugs, Herbs, and Supplements → OxycodoneU.S. Department of Health and Human Services National Institutes of Health. Learn more about How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System. Learn More: how long does a percocet stay in your system/how long does percocet stay in urine
  2. [2] List of Controlled Substances – Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Information on How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System? Learn More: how long does percocet stay in your system
  3. [3] PAIN MANAGEMENT – Best Practices – Food & Drug Administration (FDA). Learn How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System?
  4. [4] Percocet Addiction Treatment – We Level Up New Jersey Concerning the topic: How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System?
  5. [5] Sadiq NM, Dice TJ, Mead T. Oxycodone. With the topic: How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System? [Updated 2022 Aug 22]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2022 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482226/
  6. [6] LiverTox: Clinical and Research Information on Drug-Induced Liver Injury [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; 2012-. Oxycodone. About the topic: How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System? [Updated 2020 Nov 24]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK547955/
  7. [7] Overdose Death Rates – National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA). How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System and Percocet overdose risks?
  8. [8] Understanding Drug Overdoses and Deaths – CDC Injury Center. Percocet overdose warnings and How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System?
  9. [9] Now is Not the Time for the CDC to Relax Opioid Prescription Guidelines – Florida Health Across the State. State Regulations and How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System?
  10. [10] National Opioids Crisis: Help and Resources – HHS.gov. Facts on How Long Does Percocet Stay In Your System?