How Long Does Percocet Last? Percocet Specifics, Prescription Medications Abuse & Withdrawal

Percocet is the brand name of an opiate pharmaceutical drug that is usually prescribed to relieve moderate to severe pain, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. Percocet is also prescribed to individuals suffering from chronic pain. It contains oxycodone hydrochloride, which influences the brain’s perception of pain, and acetaminophen, which inhibits pain-related chemicals in the brain.

This drug may induce serious Percocet side effects if used improperly, and it is one of the most commonly abused prescription drugs. Prescription painkiller abuse is a widespread problem in the US and around the world. About 52 million Americans older than 12 have used prescription medications nonmedically at some point in their lives. Many become addicted, and that process happens slowly. Some people don’t notice the moment at which they shift from recreational abuse to intense addiction, but when addiction takes hold, it can be serious. 

Due to the potential for abuse and addiction with Percocet, the drug’s manufacturer, Endo Pharmaceuticals, states in the prescribing information for Percocet that it is normally reserved for those who are tolerant to other opioids or those who haven’t obtained pain relief from other sources.

An individual can overdose on Percocet if the drug is taken more often than prescribed, if tablets are crushed or chewed, or if it is combined with other sedatives, such as alcohol or sleeping pills. Overdose is considered a medical emergency. Without prompt treatment, serious health effects and even death can occur.

Long-term abuse of Percocet can lead to addiction, negatively impacting an individual’s long-term health, as well as their psychological and emotional wellbeing. Thankfully, comprehensive addiction treatment can help individuals safely withdraw from this prescription drug and stop the abuse of all substances.

The opioid aspect of Percocet rapidly produces tolerance. Individuals regularly taking Percocet will need higher and higher doses to produce the same effect. This can lead to addiction and adverse health effects.

The abuse of prescription medications has been on the rise due to increased availability and the belief that these drugs are safer to abuse than illicit intoxicants. However, prescription opioids like Percocet can be just as addictive as illegal drugs and have the potential for overdose. The Canadian Medical Association Journal reported in 2009 that deaths related to oxycodone in Ontario increased fivefold between 1991 and 2004.

This rise in abuse and deaths led governments to restrict prescriptions of Percocet. Tests were developed to detect the presence of the drug in urine, saliva, and hair follicles. These may be used in an addiction treatment center to detect relapse or by certain employers in various occupations.

• Yawning
• Watery eyes
• Runny nose
• Restlessness
• Irritability
• Anxiety and depression

• Tremors
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Hypertension
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle aches

Percocet has an average elimination half-life of 3.5 hours, meaning this is the amount of time it takes for half a dose of Percocet to leave one’s system. This means that it will take an average of 19 hours to eliminate all of the Percocet from the system. However, this can take longer for those who are chronic, heavy users of the drug, as opioids will be absorbed by the body’s fatty tissues if there’s more Percocet in the body than the liver can handle at once. It takes longer for the traces of Percocet in these tissues to leave the body than that which primarily stays in the bodily fluids.

In addition to this, many drug tests can also detect the agents that are created when the liver metabolizes opioids. These metabolites stay in a person’s system longer than the drug itself.

In urine tests, traces of Percocet can generally be detected for 48 hours, starting 2 hours after the first dose. It can be found in the blood for just a day. The only long-term test is the hair test, which can detect oxycodone built up in the follicles for up to 30 days. However, this test is not as reliable as urine or blood tests.

Addiction to Percocet and other opioids is a serious matter. Opioids can cause long-term damage to the body, and building a high tolerance to the drug puts one at risk for overdose and illness. When taken in excessive amounts, the acetaminophen in Percocet is also damaging to the liver, leading to inflammation, hepatitis, scarring, and permanent damage. To minimize these health risks, addiction treatment services should be sought out as soon as an addiction is suspected.