How Long Does Vicodin Stay in Your System?

Directly following Vicodin’s creation, the use of hydrocodone skyrocketed. From 2005 to 2010, emergency room visits involving recreational use of hydrocodone more than doubled in the U.S. In 2005, there were 47,194 emergency room visits, and in 2011 82,480 were reported. The rise of Vicodin continues and according to the Drug Enforcement Administration, more than 136 million hydrocodone pills were dispensed in 2013. That makes it the most prescribed opioid in the U.S. Vicodin was one of the most commonly used forms of hydrocodone.
Side effects associated with Vicodin use:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Lightheadedness
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
Drug interactions are possible when taking Vicodin with alcohol, other pain medications, opioid antagonists, drugs for sleeping issues or anxiety, and muscle relaxants. These interactions can affect how your medications and work and put you at an increased risk for serious side effects. These more serious side effects include slow/shallow breathing and severe dizziness/drowsiness.
Addiction to Vicodin is a serious matter. Vicodin can cause dangerous and detrimental effects. Even without an overdose, the high amounts of acetaminophen in Vicodin, combined with the opioid is extremely hard on the liver and over time it can cause inflammation, scarring, and permanent liver damage. Additionally, the slowing or digestive and respiratory systems can also cause chronic constipation and intestinal damage, as well as leave the user susceptible to respiratory infections and lung problems.
Vicodin overdose symptoms include:
- Pinpoint pupils
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Spasms of the stomach or intestinal tract
- Low blood pressure
- Weak pulse
- Drowsiness
- Coma
- Possible seizures
- Shallow breathing
- Difficulty breathing
- No breathing
- Blush-colored fingernails and lips
- Urine testing – The most common way to detect Vicodin, it’s a painless and simple way to test what’s in your system. Hydrocodone is detectable up to four days after Vicodin consumption. The window for detection is long for chronic, heavy use, but you must wait about 45 hours until a urine test will show hydrocodone. However, urine samples are often thought to be unreliable.
- Blood testing – This is not the recommended test to detect Vicodin use.
- Salvia testing – This is the most convenient way to test for immediate Vicodin use. Salvia testing must be done in the days directly after use, preferably between 12 and 36 hours after last use. Before 12 hours Vicodin will not be detectable, and after 36 hours traces of Vicodin will be gone.
- Hair testing – Testing a hair sample is the most reliable way to test the body for drugs. This is because traces of drugs stay in your hair follicles for up to 90 days after use. However, in the case of detecting the ingredient hydrocodone, it can take 10 days for a hair sample to show the drug. For immediate testing results, salvia and urine are the most appropriate.
- Testing date – The longer you wait to be tested, the lower the chances are Vicodin will show up.
- Dosage – The amount of Vicodin take will add up. People who use Vicodin sparingly will have a small amount of hydrocodone in their system, while people who use it regularly will have a larger amount for longer periods of time.
- Hydration – Drinking water can dilute urine, making the concentration of drug molecules lower and harder to detect.
- Metabolism – The rate of metabolism varies greatly from person to person. The quicker your metabolism, the faster the drug residue will leave your organisms. Your metabolism is dependent on your age, sex, and other genetic predispositions and environmental factors.
- Overall health – If you have liver issues or damage, you can have problems metabolizing Vicodin, which means the drug will stay in your system much longer. You may test positive for weeks after Vicodin intake.
- Diet – Healthy eating and a balanced diet can help you rid Vicodin of your system faster.
- Exercise – Exercising or any type of physical activity, boosts your metabolism and cardiovascular system, affecting how long drugs stay in your system.
- Use of other medications or drugs – The past or present use of other substances can affect how long Vicodin stays in your system. Interactions between different substances can also take place in your body.
- Body mass/body fat content – Long-term, heavy use of Vicodin can cause the opioid to be stored in fatty tissue, keeping traces of the drug in the body for even longer periods of time. The more body fat a user has, the more hydrocodone will be absorbed, especially if the liver is already damaged and the body’s metabolism has become compromised.
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Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700Seeking addiction treatment can feel overwhelming. We know the struggle, which is why we're uniquely qualified to help.
Your call is confidential, and there's no pressure to commit to treatment until you're ready. As a voluntary facility, we're here to help you heal -- on your terms. Our sole focus is getting you back to the healthy, sober life you deserve, and we are ready and waiting to answer your questions or concerns 24/7.
Speak with an Intake Coordination Specialist now.352.771.2700