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How Long Does Percocet Stay In The Body?
Posted on
Thu, 13 Oct 2016
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Thu, 13 Oct 2016
Answered on
Thu, 10 Nov 2016
Last reviewed on
Question : I need some information on how long percocet stays in your system. I took my medicine exactly as prescribed and have been in the same pain management office since Feb. 27, 2016. Upon my last visit, as soon as I got to the office I had to urinate so they just sent me to the restroom which I thought was odd since it wasn't in the office, it was down the hall. They did a swab test on me and I received a letter today stating I had no percocet in me at the appointment. I had taken my pill about 11 the night before and my appointment was at 10:30 am the next day. I have never been called in for a urine test or a random pill count (which I even asked them why they had not done that since I signed a paper saying they would do that. I am at a complete loss as to why the medication did not show up in my system and I am very distraught. I was on 30 (3 10mgs) per day.
Isn't the lab work done that day in the office. My appointment was on September 18th and I'm just now getting their letter????? Is there a difference in a swab test versus a urine test. The letter states this is final and I've been dismissed but I don't understand or I wouldn't be contacting a professional, I would have just Googled this online.
May I ask how long this normally takes?
Isn't the lab work done that day in the office. My appointment was on September 18th and I'm just now getting their letter????? Is there a difference in a swab test versus a urine test. The letter states this is final and I've been dismissed but I don't understand or I wouldn't be contacting a professional, I would have just Googled this online.
May I ask how long this normally takes?
Brief Answer:
yeah, this happens.
Detailed Answer:
Depends on where they screwed it up.
Narcotics and most drugs can be detected for up to 3 to 5 days after the last dose.
However, lower doses are less detectable. Some screens are very INSENSITIVE and won't detect drug very well. There is considerable individual variation on this.
AND.... the standard dipstick NARCOTIC detection is for heroin. It does NOT DETECT PERCOCET. It has to be a test dedicated to oxycodone (the narcotic in percocet) to be able to detect oxycodone.
Ohhh.. that's urine.....the swab test also is likely ONLY to be set up for HEROIN and not for oxycodone unless it is specifically designed for it.
BUT, the time for the swab to detect drug is much much less. It is like the blood level. 12 hrs is a long time for it to work and a long time for it to still be around to detect.
Does this place know what they are doing? Swab tests are not generally the method used.
yeah, this happens.
Detailed Answer:
Depends on where they screwed it up.
Narcotics and most drugs can be detected for up to 3 to 5 days after the last dose.
However, lower doses are less detectable. Some screens are very INSENSITIVE and won't detect drug very well. There is considerable individual variation on this.
AND.... the standard dipstick NARCOTIC detection is for heroin. It does NOT DETECT PERCOCET. It has to be a test dedicated to oxycodone (the narcotic in percocet) to be able to detect oxycodone.
Ohhh.. that's urine.....the swab test also is likely ONLY to be set up for HEROIN and not for oxycodone unless it is specifically designed for it.
BUT, the time for the swab to detect drug is much much less. It is like the blood level. 12 hrs is a long time for it to work and a long time for it to still be around to detect.
Does this place know what they are doing? Swab tests are not generally the method used.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
If the test /lab results are done in the office why didn't they tell me that day, September 19th? The date of the letter was dated 10-7-16. The letter clearly states this decision is final and not open to further discussion. I wanted to print off your response but saying, "Do these people know what they are doing?" Will probably not set well. I'm just flabbergasted. I didn't even have to go every month, I went every two months. If I had taken all my medication or if they thought I had sold them I would have postponed my appointment so there would be a valid reason to not have and traces in my system. They were very specific about the rules and regulations on my first appointment. Looking forward to hearing back and thank you for your assistance. Sigrid Smart.
Brief Answer:
Cannot answer what occurs within the office.
Detailed Answer:
Narcotics and most drugs can be detected for up to 3 to 5 days after the last dose by urine testing because the drug goes out into the urine and it accumulates there.
However, lower doses are less detectable. Some screens are very INSENSITIVE and won't detect drug very well. There is considerable individual variation on this.
AND.... the standard dipstick NARCOTIC detection is for heroin. It does NOT DETECT PERCOCET. It has to be a test dedicated to oxycodone (the narcotic in percocet) to be able to detect oxycodone.
Ohhh.. that's urine.....the swab test also is likely ONLY to be set up for HEROIN and not for oxycodone unless it is specifically designed for it.
BUT, the time for the swab to detect drug is much much less. It is like the blood level. 12 hrs is a long time for it to work and a long time for it to still be around to detect.
There is often a delay up to a week if the lab is doing a more accurate and specific test called the MASS SPECT. test. This gives numbers on how much was found of each drug and what the limit of the test might be.
Furthermore, the sample of urine can be based both upon the concentration of urine and the amount of other urine substances (creatinine). These internal consistency controls are not present in mouth swab tests. There isn't a lot of need for quantitation and validity controls if you are screening for things that are not supposed to be there. This is quite different if you are saying that a test is abnormal because of a LACK of something. That is quite different and needs other screens added to it.
I am board certified in Internal Medicine, Addiction and Clinical Pharmacology.
Cannot answer what occurs within the office.
Detailed Answer:
Narcotics and most drugs can be detected for up to 3 to 5 days after the last dose by urine testing because the drug goes out into the urine and it accumulates there.
However, lower doses are less detectable. Some screens are very INSENSITIVE and won't detect drug very well. There is considerable individual variation on this.
AND.... the standard dipstick NARCOTIC detection is for heroin. It does NOT DETECT PERCOCET. It has to be a test dedicated to oxycodone (the narcotic in percocet) to be able to detect oxycodone.
Ohhh.. that's urine.....the swab test also is likely ONLY to be set up for HEROIN and not for oxycodone unless it is specifically designed for it.
BUT, the time for the swab to detect drug is much much less. It is like the blood level. 12 hrs is a long time for it to work and a long time for it to still be around to detect.
There is often a delay up to a week if the lab is doing a more accurate and specific test called the MASS SPECT. test. This gives numbers on how much was found of each drug and what the limit of the test might be.
Furthermore, the sample of urine can be based both upon the concentration of urine and the amount of other urine substances (creatinine). These internal consistency controls are not present in mouth swab tests. There isn't a lot of need for quantitation and validity controls if you are screening for things that are not supposed to be there. This is quite different if you are saying that a test is abnormal because of a LACK of something. That is quite different and needs other screens added to it.
I am board certified in Internal Medicine, Addiction and Clinical Pharmacology.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I may have a question after I try to talk to them. A nurse told me to read the initial agreement but I am pretty sure they have covered themselves by stating they can test anyway they want, swab, blood, urine, etc. They made it very clear that the decision is non negotiable but I feel as a patient I have certain rights do I not?
That is my main question for tonight? Do I have any recourse at all under a Patient's (Bill of Rights), I think that is what it is called. Can they refuse to see me if I am current with my account and just tell them I would like to ask a few questions based on what you have told me? I really appreciate your help. Sigrid.
That is my main question for tonight? Do I have any recourse at all under a Patient's (Bill of Rights), I think that is what it is called. Can they refuse to see me if I am current with my account and just tell them I would like to ask a few questions based on what you have told me? I really appreciate your help. Sigrid.
Brief Answer:
not as much rights as you think
Detailed Answer:
so, they need to take care of you for a month after they boot you. That does not mean they are a vending machine. They can reasonably say that it is in your interest to NOT get any narcotics. So, you can go in and have chats with them and get over the counter meds and perhaps referrals.
Frankly, I see pain management heading to drug addiction specialists. I am expanding my drug addiction practice. Frankly, people do pretty well on suboxone for pain. They might not do that. you might want to get a urine test to show you are legit BUT they can claim that you can fake the urine test and they are not wrong about that (except of course they are).
Bottom line, you don't have a lot of useful recourse here.
not as much rights as you think
Detailed Answer:
so, they need to take care of you for a month after they boot you. That does not mean they are a vending machine. They can reasonably say that it is in your interest to NOT get any narcotics. So, you can go in and have chats with them and get over the counter meds and perhaps referrals.
Frankly, I see pain management heading to drug addiction specialists. I am expanding my drug addiction practice. Frankly, people do pretty well on suboxone for pain. They might not do that. you might want to get a urine test to show you are legit BUT they can claim that you can fake the urine test and they are not wrong about that (except of course they are).
Bottom line, you don't have a lot of useful recourse here.
Note: For further guidance on mental health, Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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