How Long Does Reprexain Stay in Your System?

Reprexain clearance times vary depending on specific metabolic factors. The patient’s age, weight, and opioid tolerance have the greatest influence on Reprexain excretion.

Reprexain is present at testable levels in the urine for up to three to four days following the time of last dose. Blood tests may show positive for Reprexain for the first 24 hours. The terminal half-life of Reprexain is three to four hours.

Reprexain is a combination medication of hydrocodone and ibuprofen. Hydrocodone is an analgesic (pain reliever) and antitussive (cough suppressant). It is derived from codeine. Hydrocodone’s analgesic properties are reported to be 59% as potent as morphine.

Common side effects of hydrocodone include constipation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, mood swings, anxiety, drowsiness, itching difficulty urinating, constricted pupils, respiratory depression, chest tightness, and dry throat.

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) that’s taken for treating fever, inflammation, and mild pain. Common side effects of ibuprofen include heartburn and skin rash. Ibuprofen may make asthma symptoms worse. At high doses, ibuprofen increases the risk of heart attack. Ibuprofen has fewer severe side effects when compared to other NSAIDs. Reprexain has a significantly lower risk of leading to liver toxicity when compared to hydrocodone-acetaminophen combination drugs.

In October 2014, hydrocodone-ibuprofen medications like Reprexain were reclassified by the Federal Drug Administration (FDA) from a Schedule III drug to a Schedule II drug. The change was based on the Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEAs) reclassification of hydrocodone that same year. The change was made in response to the prevalent opioid epidemic that has grown increasingly worse in North America since beginning in 1990.

Reprexain and other synthetic opioids have a high risk of developing dependency and leading to overdose in patients. Those who survive an overdose are at risk for severe complications including pulmonary edema, rhabdomyolysis, compartment syndrome, paralysis, and permanent brain damage. Five to six percent of people taking prescription painkiller will at some point transition to heroin use.

In addition to Reprexain, several other hydrocodone combination drugs are available. Vicoprofen is another brand of hydrocodone-ibuprofen medication. Norco combines acetaminophen (Tylenol) with hydrocodone. Hycomine combines hydrocodone with an antihistamine to diminish histamine-based side effects such as itchy skin. Other hydrocodone combination drugs include Lortab, Lortab ASA, and Lorcet.

Recreational opioid users mix Reprexain with other opioids and central nervous system depressants. Benzodiazepines (Xanax) have become increasingly popular. Benzodiazepines are a sedative/hypnotic that depresses the central nervous system. Alcohol also acts as a central nervous system depressant. The concomitant use of these substances with Reprexain can lead to life-threatening complications including severe respiratory depression.

The hydrocodone in Reprexain achieves its pain-relieving effects by acting primarily on mu-opioid receptors in the body. It is also a weak agonist of the kappa and delta opioid receptors. By binding to and activating these receptors, Reprexain reduces the patient’s perception of pain.

The terminal elimination half-life of Reprexain ranges from 3.3 to 4.4 hours, with an average elimination time of 3.8 hours. The onset of action for hydrocodone via oral administration is 10 to 20 minutes and reaches peak pain-relieving effects within 30 to 60 minutes. The duration of action for hydrocodone is between four and eight hours. Peak plasma concentrations of the drug are reached approximately 1.7 hours after the time of ingestion. For ibuprofen, peak blood levels occur at 1.8 hours following oral administration.

As mentioned, drug clearance times for Reprexain vary greatly between patients. The individual’s age, weight, body fat percentage, opioid tolerance, and liver and kidney health all significantly impact the amount of time it takes to excrete the drug. Patients who consistently take larger, more frequent doses will take longer to eliminate Reprexain than someone who takes it sparingly. Liver health greatly influences Reprexain metabolism, since Reprexain is primarily metabolized by the liver. Decreased liver function leads to elevated blood plasma levels of the drug and longer clearance times.

Blood tests can reflect as positive for Reprexain for up to 24 hours following the time of ingestion. Reprexain can be present at testable levels in the urine for up to three to four days, and in hair follicles for up to 90 days.

If you or someone you know is struggling with an opioid misuse disorder, The Recovery Village is available to help.