Medical Providers: Dr. Michael Vines, MD Alex Spritzer, FNP, CARN-AP, PMHNP Clinical Providers: Natalie Foster, LPC-S, MS Last Updated: August 23, 2025
Percocet is a prescription pain medication often given after surgery, injury, or for chronic pain relief. It combines oxycodone, a powerful opioid, with acetaminophen, a common over-the-counter pain reliever. This blend makes Percocet effective for managing moderate to severe pain, but it also comes with risks.
Because oxycodone is an opioid, Percocet has a high potential for dependence and misuse. In fact, prescription painkillers like oxycodone were linked to a sharp rise in overdose deaths between 1991 and 2004, highlighting just how dangerous misuse can be.
When talking about how long Percocet stays in your system, one key factor is its half-life. A drug’s half-life is simply the time it takes your body to clear out half of the dose you’ve taken. For Percocet, the average half-life is about 3.5 hours. In other words, after a few hours, only half of the drug remains in your system, and with each passing 3.5 hours, that amount continues to drop.
When you take Percocet, it quickly enters your bloodstream and begins working throughout your body. The oxycodone component attaches to receptors in the brain and spinal cord, helping to block pain signals while creating feelings of relaxation or even mild euphoria. At the same time, acetaminophen helps reduce fever and further dulls pain by acting on the brain’s pain pathways.
Your liver is responsible for breaking down both ingredients so they can be flushed out of your system through urine and stool. On average, it takes about 18 to 19 hours for Percocet to leave the body completely. Still, that timeline isn’t the same for everyone—factors like age, metabolism, liver health, and frequency of use can all influence Percocet addiction risks.
Factors Affecting Percocet Elimination
Metabolism
Everyone’s body processes medications differently, and your metabolism has a lot to do with it. People with a naturally faster metabolism often break down and clear Percocet more quickly than those with a slower rate.
Dosage and Frequency
The more Percocet you take — and the more often you take it — the longer it can build up in your system. This accumulation directly affects how long the drug can be detected.
Age
As we age, our bodies tend to process medications more slowly. For older adults, this can mean Percocet stays in the system longer compared to younger individuals.
Liver and Kidney Function
Since the liver and kidneys handle most of the work when breaking down and removing Percocet, any impairment in these organs can delay the elimination process and extend detection times.
Body Mass
Your body mass and fat percentage also play a role. People with higher body fat may retain Percocet longer, which can slow down the drug’s clearance.
Hydration
Staying well-hydrated can help your body flush out substances more effectively. Proper hydration may slightly shorten how long Percocet remains detectable.
Interaction with Other Substances
Mixing Percocet with certain medications, alcohol, or drugs can change the way your body processes it. This can either speed up the breakdown or make the drug linger longer in your system.
Urine tests are the most common way to check for Percocet use, but how long the drug shows up can vary from person to person. In most cases, Percocet can be detected in urine for about 1 to 3 days after the last dose. However, if someone has been taking higher doses or using it frequently, traces of the drug may remain detectable for up to a week.
Percocet can be detected in drug tests. The type of drug test and the cutoff level used for the test will determine how long Percocet can be detected.
Urine Tests
For occasional users, Percocet usually shows up in a urine test for about 1 to 3 days. In people who use it more regularly or at higher doses, detection can last closer to 4 or 5 days. Keep in mind, though, that individual factors like metabolism and hydration can make these timelines shorter or longer.
Blood Tests
Percocet doesn’t stay in the bloodstream for long. In most cases, it can be detected for up to 24 hours after use, though certain tests may pick it up for as long as 48 hours. Because of its short detection window, blood testing is often used in medical settings rather than long-term monitoring.
Saliva Tests
Like blood tests, saliva screens are often chosen when recent use is suspected. Percocet can typically be found in saliva for up to 2 days, but in some cases, traces may linger for as many as 4 days after the last dose.
Hair Tests
Hair tests provide the longest detection window, with Percocet sometimes showing up for as long as 90 days. For more on detection and related risks, visit our opioid addiction page.
You deserve another chance. Get rid of opioid addiction today.
Percocet is only safe to use when prescribed by a doctor. Misusing it—or taking it without a prescription—is not only dangerous but also illegal. For those who want to cut back or explore safer options, there are many alternatives to opioid pain medications that can be discussed with a healthcare provider.
If you or a loved one is struggling with Percocet misuse or opioid addiction, know that you don’t have to face it alone. At The Hope House, we provide a supportive residential treatment program designed to help you break free from addiction and build a healthier future.
Our approach combines evidence-based therapies, medication-assisted treatment, and holistic practices that address both the mind and body. We also offer personalized aftercare planning so you can continue your recovery with confidence long after treatment ends.
If you’re ready to take the first step, our Scottsdale treatment center is here to help you regain control and start fresh. Recovery is possible—and it begins with reaching out today.
Take back your life from Percocet addiction with The Hope House.
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