Percocet is a commonly prescribed opioid painkiller combining oxycodone and acetaminophen. Whether prescribed or misused, it has become a significant public health concern, with millions of people affected by dependence, addiction, and overdose each year.
Understanding how long Percocet stays in the body is important for individuals in treatment, healthcare providers, and those concerned about drug testing, as detection times can inform medical decisions, guide supervision during tapering or detox, and support safer, evidence-based care.
What Is Percocet?
Percocet is a prescription medication that combines oxycodone, an opioid pain reliever, with acetaminophen, a common non-opioid pain medication sold over the counter. It is primarily used to treat moderate to severe pain after surgery, injury, or chronic conditions.
The oxycodone component binds to opioid receptors in the brain and spinal cord, reducing the perception of pain. Acetaminophen enhances the pain-relieving effects of oxycodone and can also help to reduce fever. Percocet is considered a controlled substance and carries a high risk of dependence, abuse, and overdose [1].
Percocet also triggers the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure and reward. This dopamine surge creates intense feelings of euphoria and leads many to misuse or abuse the drug.
Understanding Percocet Abuse
In the United States, misuse of prescription opioid painkillers is common, with national data showing millions of people aged 12 or older reporting misusing prescription pain relievers in a given year. Nearly 30% of people who misused any prescription pain reliever in the past year (2.6 million) misused oxycodone products such as Percocet [2].
Many people begin abusing opioids like Percocet because of the intense euphoria and mood-enhancing effects. The feelings of pleasure and relaxation can quickly become addictive, especially for individuals struggling with stress, anxiety, or chronic pain.
How Long Does Percocet Stay In The Body?
Both oxycodone and acetaminophen have a relatively short half-life and can be detected in urine, usually for up to a few days. The detection window and the rate at which Percocet leaves your body are also influenced by the testing method and factors such as metabolism and underlying health conditions.
| Testing Method | Detection Window | Comments |
| Urine | 3 to 4 days | The most common testing method and detection window can vary based on individual factors |
| Blood | 12 to 24 hours | Detectable shortly after use, but not usually used for routine drug screenings (more common in hospital settings) |
| Saliva | 1 to 4 days | Detection is similar to urine but can be influenced by food or drink |
| Hair | Up to 90 days | Can show long-term use or chronic use, can not tell how recent the use was |
Metabolism and Elimination of Percocet
The key ingredients of Percocet, oxycodone and acetaminophen, are metabolized in the body differently.
Oxycodone Metabolism
Oxycodone is primarily metabolized in the liver by the enzymes CYP3A4 and CYP2D6. CYP3A4 converts it to noroxycodone, while CYP2D6 converts it to oxymorphone. Both provide some pain relief but are less potent than oxycodone itself [3].
The drug and its metabolites are excreted through the kidneys in urine, and oxycodone’s elimination half-life is around 3.5 to 5.5 hours, but it can take several half-lives for the body to be fully cleared.
Acetaminophen Metabolism and Elimination
Acetaminophen is also processed in the liver, primarily via glucuronide and sulfate conjugation, producing non-toxic metabolites. Overdose or liver dysfunction can cause liver damage. Acetaminophen has a shorter half-life of 2–3 hours [4].
Factors That Influence How Long Percocet Stays In Your System
Detection windows provide general guidelines, but several factors can influence how long Percocet remains detectable in the body. These include:
- Dose and Frequency: Higher doses and longer or more frequent use can extend the detection window and withdrawal period.
- Metabolism: Individuals with faster metabolism naturally eliminate the drug more quickly.
- Age: Older adults with a slower metabolism tend to retain opioids for a longer time and may have a more difficult withdrawal period.
- Body Weight: Body fat and overall body mass can affect how quickly Percocet and other opioid painkillers are metabolized.
- Liver & Kidney Function: Those with pre-existing conditions that affect the liver and kidneys have a harder time with elimination.
- Polydrug Use: The presence of other drugs or alcohol can impact how quickly Percocet is processed and metabolized.
The Importance of Supervised Detox
If you are struggling with Percocet misuse, it’s important to connect with a professional treatment program that can guide you through a safe withdrawal process.
Opioid withdrawal is one of the most intense drug detox processes, with users often experiencing severe flu-like symptoms (body aches, chills, runny nose, fever), anxiety, depression, and intense cravings. Around 80% of opioid users report they would prefer to seek professional support as opposed to quitting on their own [5].
During supervised opioid detox, individuals are monitored by a team of licensed medical professionals to ensure their vital signs are stable and any distressing withdrawal symptoms can be comfortably managed with medications and psychosocial support.
Opioid Addiction Treatment in Utah
At Maple Mountain Mental Health and Wellness, our compassionate team of clinical psychiatrists and experienced therapists is committed to providing supervised medication management and behavioral interventions to help adults recover from opioid addiction and prescription drug abuse.
Our licensed medical team prioritizes your safety, health, and well-being throughout the entire recovery journey. Through a holistic, blended approach, we address each aspect of your recovery to support long-term healing. Contact our admissions team to see how we can support you today.
Sources
[1] Bach, C. 2025. Oxycodone/Acetaminophen (Percocet®)
[3] Kane, M. 2025. Oxycodone Therapy and CYP2D6 Genotype. Medical Genetics Summary.
[4] Klein, E. (2015). PharmGKB summary: pathways of acetaminophen metabolism at the therapeutic versus toxic doses. Pharmacogenetics and genomics, 25(8), 416–426.
[5] Phillips, J. et al. 2017. Pain Management and the Opioid Epidemic: Balancing Societal and Individual Benefits and Risks of Prescription Opioid Use. National Academies of Sciences.
