How Long Does Oxycodone Last?

What you will learn

• Oxycodone is a potent opioid pain relief drug used to manage chronic pain from conditions like cancer, arthritis, back issues, and surgery.
• It can last 4-6 hours (for standard or immediate-release tablets and liquids) and over 12-24 hours (for extended-release capsules).
• Oxycodone poses significant health risks, such as respiratory depression, low blood pressure, breathing problems, and extreme tiredness.
• Naloxone is a drug used to reverse the effects of opioid overdose rapidly. It's crucial to have Naloxone in the home if you treat pain with Oxycodone.

The effects of oxycodone can last 4-6 hours for immediate-release tablets and liquids, and 12-24 hours for extended-release capsules. Other factors that determine how long effects last include dosage, tolerance, weight, age, and individual genetics.

Standard-release tablets, also called immediate-release, are designed to enter the bloodstream quickly and can relieve pain for 4-6 hours. [1] Extended-release tablets can last 12-24 hours and are typically used in conjunction with standard forms for long-term pain management.

Like all other opioids, oxycodone usage poses risks of dependency, and if misused, can cause addiction and life-threatening side effects.

How Long Does It Take For Oxycodone To Start Working?

Oxycodone capsules can take 30-60 minutes to have effects. [2] Slow-release formulations can take one hour to work, but last longer and are suitable for long-term pain management.

• An empty stomach absorbs Oxycodone faster, as there are fewer barriers. A full stomach slows it down. Also, while taking Oxycodone with food may delay the onset, it prevents stomach aches, a common side effect of the drug.
• People with damaged or impaired liver function may absorb Oxycodone more slowly, when compared to those with good liver function.
• Older adults may absorb the drug more slowly due to underlying health conditions.
• Other medications can slow down or speed up oxycodone absorption.
• Standard tablets and liquid forms will typically start working within 30-60 minutes. An injection may work faster.. Slow-release capsules can take one hour for the drug to start working. [3]

How Long Does Oxycodone Stay in the Body After Use?

Standard-release Oxycodone works in 30 minutes to an hour [4] but effects wear off after 4-6 hours, while extended-release capsules can remain effective for 24-48 hours for complete absorption.

Dosage: A higher dosage releases a larger amount of the active component in the bloodstream, making the effects last longer. Standard tablets usually wear off within 4-6 hours and typically contain lower doses than slow-release tablets.

Age: Due to decreased liver and kidney function and slower metabolism, older adults may process Oxycodone more slowly [5] than younger people, leading to a longer oxycodone duration of effects for the drug.

Weight: Individuals with a higher body weight will typically require a higher dosage for optimal potency.

Tolerance: Using Oxycodone for a long time can lead to tolerance. In this condition, the body becomes tolerant to a drug because it processes and eliminates it more quickly from the bloodstream. Doctors may prescribe higher dosages, but there’s a risk of more serious side effects, dependency, or addiction.

Withdrawal Symptoms, Addiction, and Dependency: Oxycodone and Mental Health

Withdrawal symptoms can occur when a patient abruptly stops using Oxycodone, leading to dependency. Withdrawal symptoms may include anxiety, sweating, nausea, cold, abdominal pain, irritability, and increased heart rate.

Dependency is a condition where the body has adapted to the drug and starts showing withdrawal symptoms when the drug is reduced. Oxycodone detox must be done under medical supervision to avoid physical withdrawal.

Oxycodone addiction, on the other hand, is a compulsive need to use the drug, often not for medical reasons. Medical use of Oxycodone or other opioids can lead to addiction if a patient misuses them.

If you drink frequently, get drunk, or have a family member who does, you are at a higher risk of addiction. The risk of addiction is also high if you or a family member has used street drugs and suffers from depression and mental illness. Always inform your doctor about your medical history. [6]

Safe Guidelines to Follow When Using Oxycodone

Communicate with your doctor throughout the drug use.

• If your pain does not go away or gets worse, you may have developed a tolerance for the drug. Your doctor may prescribe a higher dose or a different medication. Only your doctor can increase or decrease your dosage.
• Even when your pain goes away, your doctor should advise you on how to stop using the drug. Abruptly cutting Oxycodone from your system can lead to withdrawal symptoms. Typically, a doctor should reduce the dosage slowly to prevent these side effects.
• Inform your doctor of any and every drug you use. For example, drugs that cause drowsiness, like benzodiazepines and other sleep medications, may interact poorly with oxycodone, leading to adverse side effects like restricted breathing, excessive sleepiness, and fatigue. Do not combine it with alcohol, as this can cause an overdose. [7] Call 911 immediately if you or a loved one feels over-fatigued or does not respond to their environment after using the drug.

Speak to your provider about Naloxone.

• Naloxone is used to reverse the effects of an opioid overdose. [8] Close family members and caregivers must know where you put the Naloxone and how it’s used.
• Do not drive or operate heavy machinery immediately after use. For first-time users, observe how the drug affects you and report extended spells of dizziness or drowsiness to your doctor. If symptoms worsen, call 911 or visit an emergency room.
• Your mouth will be dry. Drink lots of water.
• Constipation is a common side effect of the drug. If you do not have a bowel movement for more than three days, call your provider.
• Older adults may experience adverse effects from the drug, so they should only use it under close monitoring.
• Do not take more, in higher dosage, longer than instructed by your doctor, or differently from your doctor’s prescription. Don’t deviate from your treatment plan.
• Inform your doctor if you have a lung disease such as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). COPD increases the risk of respiratory depression.
• Oxycodone can show up on a urine, saliva test, hair test, or blood test days after use..
• Oxycodone is a prescription drug. Don’t take it without a doctor’s prescription.

Side Effects of Oxycodone Medication Usage

Oxycodone has a long list of side effects. Some are common and expected, while others can be life-threatening and need immediate medical intervention.

Side Effects that Indicate a Medical Emergency

1. A slow or irregular heart rate
2. Respiratory depression can lead to hypoxia (low oxygen levels), organ failure, and death.
3. Chest tightness and pain.
4. Severe drowsiness and unresponsiveness to your environment are signs of an overdose. Oxycodone is a central nervous system depressant—it has sedative effects, but misuse can lead to adverse effects like overdose.
5. Fainting, lightheadedness, and blurry vision.
6. Adverse reactions may include itching, hives, difficulty swallowing, and swelling of the face, throat, lip, and tongue. [9]

Side Effects That May Not Indicate a Medical Emergency

These effects should still be reported to your prescribing physician:[10]

1. Headache
2. Nausea and vomiting
3. Constipation
4. Dizziness
5. Drowsiness
6. Dry mouth

Oxycodone and Pregnancy

A healthcare professional may prescribe Oxycodone during pregnancy for severe pain or pain that does not go away after other medications have been explored.

If Oxycodone is used towards the end of your pregnancy, the baby might have withdrawal symptoms. Doctors must closely observe the baby before discharging the mother and child.

Breastfeeding mothers should take Oxycodone only in low doses and for a short time, and only if prescribed. Extended use can lead to adverse effects in children. Contact your healthcare provider immediately if the baby isn’t feeding or breathing well, is constipated, inactive, or appears pale.

Oxycodone’s Interaction with Other Medications

Oxycodone’s interaction with some drugs can have moderate to severe side effects. Inform your healthcare professional if you use drugs:

• For high blood pressure
• For depression or a mental health condition
• To reduce anxiety
• For sleep
• For epileptic seizures
• Like clarithromycin, erythromycin, and linezolid, to treat infections
• To treat allergies
• Never use Oxycodone with safinamide [11]
• Do not take Oxycodone with painkillers that contain codeine, such as co-codamol, co-codaprin (codeine and aspirin), and Nurofen Plus (codeine and ibuprofen). [12]

It is usually safe to take Oxycodone with paracetamol or acetaminophen (the Oxycodone and paracetamol combination is called Percocet and is used medically as a treatment option for pain), aspirin, or ibuprofen, as long as they are not mixed with codeine, but as always, first check with your doctor.

OxyContin—Brand Names for Oxycodone

OxyContin is a common brand name for Oxycodone in the United States. Its formulations make it effective for long-term use. Other brand names include Roxicodone, Endocodone, Pazidox, Percolone, and OxyContin.

Helping Someone Using Oxycodone

Oxycodone is a potent painkiller, but its side effects can be life-threatening. To help, monitor the person’s usage, communicate with their healthcare provider, and report suspicious symptoms or the possibility of substance abuse. If there’s a medical crisis from usage, call an emergency room immediately. If you suspect an overdose, administer Naloxone and call an emergency room.

Amanda is a prolific medical content writer specializing in eating disorders and addiction treatment. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Purdue University with a B.S. in Social Work. Read more