How Long Does Kadian Stay in Your System?

Kadian is an opioid that contains morphine, which doctors prescribe to treat pain. This prescription drug will stay in your system between 60.5 and 71.5 hours, but the exact length of time depends on a variety of individual factors. If you’re unsure how long Kadian will stay in your system, talk to your doctor. He or she can help you figure out how long that will be.

Inform your doctor if you are experiencing any side effects from Kadian, and avoid any medications, drugs, or substances it interacts with, including alcohol. Again, if you’re unsure about the safety of taking other medications or drinking alcohol after taking your prescribed Kadian, talk to your doctor.

Kadian Prescription Facts

Kadian, which contains morphine, is an opioid analgesic prescription used to treat severe pain in cancer patients. This pain must be severe enough to require constant opioid treatment to prescribe this medication. Kadian comes in different strengths, which are color-coded for easy identification.

Kadian works by interacting with various opioid receptors throughout the body and changing the way your body feels and responds to pain.

Kadian, in strengths of 100 mgs and above, is to be used only by patients who are already taking many opioids for pain. Giving that dosage level to someone who is not already on large doses of opioids can lead to severe respiratory depression and death.

It’s essential you take Kadian exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change the dosage yourself.

As with most prescription medications, Kadian can have side effects. Some common side effects can include nausea, vomiting, constipation, sweating, lightheadedness, dizziness, or drowsiness.

Serious side effects can also occur, including

  • Mental status or mood changes
  • Severe abdominal pain
  • Difficulty urinating
  • Loss of appetite
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Weight loss
  • Fainting
  • Seizure
  • Slow or shallow breathing
  • Severe drowsiness or difficulty waking up

If you experience any side effects from Kadian, no matter how small they seem, contact your doctor. You and your doctor can then decide if Kadian is the right medication to treat your pain.

Kadian Regulations

Kadian and is on the Controlled Substance Act list in the United States as a Schedule II controlled substance. Schedule II controlled substances have a high potential for addiction and abuse. Refills of prescription drugs on this list are prohibited.

Most Commonly Abused Drugs Containing Kadian

Kadian contains morphine, which can be used to make other drugs such as, hydromorphoneoxymorphone, and heroin. These forms of morphine are often misused. Using Kadian or any other forms of morphine other than directed can be life threatening.

How Kadian Affects the Brain and Body

Kadian works by changing the way the brain recognizes and responds to pain. The medication interacts with various opioid receptors throughout the body, achieving the desired analgesic effect. The opioid-like activity occurs throughout the brain and spinal cord.

If you decide Kadian is not right for you, do not abruptly stop taking Kadian, as doing so may cause severe withdrawal symptoms. Instead, consult your doctor to discuss how best to wean off of this prescription.

Half-Life of Kadian

The half-life of a medication is the time it takes for the drug’s effectiveness to be cut in half after a person takes the last dose. The half-life for Kadian is approximately 11 to 13 hours.

Factors That Influence How Long Kadian Stays in Your System

There are several factors that influence how long Kadian will stay in your system after your last dose. These factors include kidney and liver function, age, race, metabolism, and other health conditions.

Your doctor can help you figure out the approximate time frame Kadian will stay in your system, based on your factors. As always, take care to inform your doctor of your complete medical history.

How Long Does Kadian Stay in Your Urine, Hair, and Blood?

Kadian will show up in a drug test screening, so it’s important to inform your drug test administrator you are taking or have recently taken this prescription. Kadian will stay in your blood and urine for at least 2 to 3 days. Drug tests, using a hair sample, can show traces of Kadian for up to 90 days after your last dose.

If you feel you or a loved one is misusing Kadian, don’t wait to get help. Contact us online or reach us 24/7 via our confidential helpline at 844-543-9176 to learn more about the road to recovery. We can help you overcome your addiction today.

Medical Disclaimer

The Recovery Village aims to improve the quality of life for people struggling with substance use or mental health disorder with fact-based content about the nature of behavioral health conditions, treatment options and their related outcomes. We publish material that is researched, cited, edited and reviewed by licensed medical professionals. The information we provide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be used in place of the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare providers.