How long does codeine stay in your system?
The body quickly absorbs and metabolizes codeine narcotics.
So for most standard blood or urine screens, codeine will be detectable for 1-2 days. However, codeine is detectable in hair for longer periods of time. More here on the length of time codeine stays in your system, plus how you can get addicted to codeine. We invite your questions about codeine in your system at the end.
Main codeine uses
Codeine is used as a pain reliever in cases of mild to moderate pain, and to help relieve coughing when over-the-counter medications aren’t strong enough. Codeine belongs to the opiate class of medications and it alters the brain and nervous system’s response to pain. This psychoactive effect can cause numbing effects in the body and suppress the body’s cough reflex, but it can also cause a euphoric high that people chase when they take codeine to get high.
How do you take codeine?
Codeine comes in tablet, capsule, and solution form. When used for medical reasons, codeine is taken orally. However, codeine can also be abused. Some abusers will drink excessive amounts of codeine cough syrup to try to achieve a euphoric high. Codeine abusers also chew or crush the tablets to release all the medication at once. They may also crush the tablets and either snort them, or dissolve them in water and inject the mixture into the blood. These modes of administration are not recommended, as they increase risk of dependence, overdose and death.
Peak levels and half life of codeine
Codeine starts to take effect quickly. It reaches peak levels in about 30 minutes, at 200 ng/ml. After peak effect, codeine has a half-life of about 3 hours.
Codeine drug testing: How long does codeine stay in the body?
Narcotics like codeine clear the body fairly quickly. Most likely, codeine is detectable only for a couple of days after last use. In general, blood screens for codeine are the least likely way to detect the opiate drug, followed by urine and hair tests.
How long does codeine stay in blood?
Due to its short half-life, codeine doesn’t stay in the blood long-term. In fact, codeine will typically fall beneath detectable levels after a day. Blood tests will probably only be ordered in situations requiring medical treatment for potential overdose or other adverse effects.
How long does codeine stay in hair?
Hair sample testing for codeine is not standard for pre-employment or workplace drug screens and is only usually used to monitor people in drug treatment programs. Still, codeine can be detected in hair for about 90 days. This detection window depends on the length of your hair is and how much codeine you’ve taken in the past. Trace amounts of codeine will be harder to detect than chronic abuse.
How long does codeine stay in urine?
The exact amount of time that codeine is detectable in urine depends on the amount of codeine a person is taking, what formulation of the drug they’re using, and how long they’ve used it. Typically, codeine can be detected in urine for only 1 or 2 days. It can be detectable for slightly longer when someone’s last dose was a very large amount, or if someone has chronically abused codeine.
Codeine and addiction
Codeine is an addictive drug. In fact, codeine can be habit-forming in those who use it to manage long-term pain and those who abuse it intentionally. Codeine abusers experience withdrawal when they don’t have access to the medication and will crave codeine when it is no longer acting in the body. Codeine abusers and addicts are at a greater risk of overdose, as opiate tolerance leads them to taking higher and higher doses of codeine to achieve euphoric effect.
Problems with codeine?
Do you think that you have a problem with codeine? You probably do. If you struggle with codeine addiction, a doctor can refer you to therapies which will help, including medications and psychological treatment. So talk first with your primary physician and seek referral to an addiction specialist to learn more.
Codeine in your system questions
If we still haven’t answered your question(s) about codeine in the system, please leave your question(s) below. We are more than happy to respond to you personally, and will do so as quickly as possible. If we cannot answer your codeine question, we will refer you to someone who can.
10:15 pm
April 12th, 2012
i have been taking apotex for about 6 weeks it contains codein 30mg. i have stopped taking meds for 2 weeks now how long will it take to get out off my system?
have done a drug and alchol test and it has shown up positive.2 days ago.
1:14 pm
April 17th, 2012
Hi Nick. Codeine can be detected in hair based tests up to 90 days (or more) after use. What kind of drug and alcohol screen are you using? Also, did you have a prescription for the Apotex?
9:39 pm
April 17th, 2012
drug test was a urine test sent to a lab for results.
yes i do have a script for the Apotex medication from my gp but can not let testing people know that i was taking it for at least a month or there gp on staff due to a back injury.
because if i did alarm bells would go off and i work in construction i wouuld nt be able to work in that industry again and have a mark against your name.
so i didnt tell them about it now it has shown up twice on my test firm will not take me on.
now i do have a kidney problem which my gp keeps and eye on things acrumen is still in its range of levels.
so how long will it take to get out of my system before i go for another job
3:10 am
April 18th, 2012
HI Nick. What a conundrum. Either way, it seems that you are not able to win. I would still suggest that honesty is always the best policy. A prescription or doctor’s note for legitimate pain relief will ensure that any codeine left in your system is accounted for in the next drug screen. So, if you are willing to admit the injury, the drug screen will come back NEGATIVE. Otherwise, for a urine analysis (according to my reading), the codeine should be out of your system by now. Perhaps you can buy a home test and try it out before your next drug screen.
7:03 am
July 1st, 2012
My husband is abusing codiene. He has a prescription for it but has been going thought through his way to quickly and then steals mine. Is there a test that can show how much he is taking. He is taking about 5 more pills a day than he is being prescribed. And how far back can they test. I am trying to help him but he lies about it. I need to know if there is any way to prove that he is using more and more each month.
7:44 pm
July 1st, 2012
Hello April. I’m sorry to hear about the drug abuse going on in your family. It must be very hard for you to deal with.
Codeine (methylmorphine) is rapidly absorbed and is excreted as unchanged codeine, morphine, and glucuronide conjugates. Initially, you can drug screen your husband using an opiate specific urinalysis test (you’ll have to call a drug testing center and ask for specific information about test name, cost, etc.). In general, the cutoff levels for codeine are around 2000 ng/ml which indicate codeine use. However, HIGH LEVELS OF TOTAL MORPHINE IN URINE (>5000 ng/ml) INDICATE ABUSE of the drug. Once you get the drug test, you can have a lab technician or medical review officer analyze the results and let you know more. You can also report your suspicions to your husband’s prescribing doctor and request that the MD drug test him.
Does this help?
10:27 pm
July 3rd, 2012
Hi I took 3 tylenol #3 with codiene on monday and have a drug test thur at 4pm will I be clear from blood and urine on thursday test?
10:28 pm
July 3rd, 2012
I took it for pain from a tooth being pulled
5:09 pm
July 9th, 2012
Hi Dai. There should be NO PROBLEM if you’ve been prescribed the Tylenol with codeine for dentistry. Just present the Rx at the drug screening office and the Medical Review Officer will interpret [possible] levels of codeine in your urine with expected norms. In fact, the codeine will probably clear your blood totally in time for the blood test. As long are you are taking codeine as prescribed, the drug screen will come back NEGATIVE for inappropriate use/abuse.
5:34 pm
September 17th, 2012
I have been taking up to 25mg of codeine a day and if i stop taking that amount how long would it take to leave the urine.
11:18 am
September 22nd, 2012
Hi Nick. Codeine can be detected in urine for 1 or 2 days or a few days more for significant, high dose use. To be sure of whether or not codeine has passed through your system, I’d suggest buying a home testing kit for opiates and test over the period of every few days until the test (which is usually a dipstick test and is typically less sensitive than a laboratory test) is clean.
6:15 am
October 17th, 2012
i know a guy whos been abusing codeine for about 5 weeks, taking about 20 pills of 15/500 codiene a paracetomol. he has a drug test for blood and urine on friday…he stoped taking them last friday,so is 1 week enough to get it out of his system.he has also been running to sweat it out and drinking lots of water and metamucil.
10:20 am
October 17th, 2012
Hi Jane. Yes, one week is probably enough time between use and detection screening for codeine via urinalysis and blood testing.
4:54 am
October 18th, 2012
thanks i will pass it on.
1:45 am
December 20th, 2012
I have a job interview tomorrow and drug screen but I took my finger in the top of a promathazine with codeine bottle and tasted it, will only a dap on the finger show up
9:59 am
December 23rd, 2012
Hi John. Tasting a drop of liquid containing codeine is probably not a large enough amount to show in a drug test. You should be OK. Please let us know how it goes.
7:43 pm
December 24th, 2012
Hey this isn’t an abuse question my wife was prescribed the codeine/phenergan cough syrup for a upper respiratory infection Thursday 12/20/2012 and she stopped taking it that Saturday due to the blurry vision and such that she was having. My question is this it is now Monday 12/24/2012 and her vision is still blurry… Is this normal or is it something we need to worry about.. We did have a glass of wine during the day Thursday, and Friday and she wouldn’t take the med until hours after the wine…
12:27 am
December 30th, 2012
i take tylenol 4 4 times a day. ive took them for 2 months once i stop when will my system be clean
10:02 am
January 14th, 2013
Hello PCS. Tylenol 4, or Tylenol with codeine, should leave the system within 48 hours of last dose. However, you may experience withdrawal symptoms as it seems likely your body has become dependent on codeine to function properly.
12:00 am
January 24th, 2013
ive been taking codeine of and on for 1 year to treat pain for anal absess. I don’t use it every day its more like this. I have a operation and for 2 weeks take it regular like 60ms 2 tablets oraly 2-3 times in 24 hours. then I can go 4-8 weeks just on no painkillers with a occasional bad day (estimate 5-6 days in that time) so I take 30-60mg 1 time on that day.
problem is I seem to be confused, bad reactions for a few days. light headed even after 2 days of taking last tablet. is this normal and is this something that goes away. I am worried about this side effect as I has a large impact on my life currently. I am not addicted to codine and do not use it regular but when I have pain it is excellent at hiding it.
3:29 am
February 4th, 2013
I have been prescribed Norco 5 mg/ 325 acetominophen for about 8 months now. It started at 3 times a day and then decreased to two times a day in the last two months. I have been drug screened 4 times and the last three times have come back negative even though I have been taking my medicine as prescribed. My question is this, after taking the codeine for an extended period of time does your body metabolize it and get rid of it faster and is there any medical proof of that? any and all information you can give me is greatly appreciated.
4:53 am
February 5th, 2013
I took a swig of cough syrup last night not knowing it contained codeine.Ive never used codeine before. This was about 2 in the morning. Took a drug test for a job about 3 this afternoon and surprise i failed for opiates. I take one more at 8 in the morning. Thats a little over 24 hours. Ive already dtank about a cgallon and a half of water and some green tea. I weigh 135lbs and am 5 ft 11. Will i pass tomorrow you think?
7:08 pm
February 7th, 2013
My little guy was prescribed tylenol with codeine to help him sleep better. Doc diagnosed him with croup, although he’s not coughing or having trouble breathing, and his lung sounds are all clear. I have given it to him 2 nights in a row, a very small does-1/2 tsp (he’s one). He was seen today by an ENT d/t re-current ear infections and the ENT wants to put tubes in…tomorrow. Being that the last does of tylenol with codeine he got was last night, if I do not give him any tonight, will it be cleared out of his system by tomorrow morning?
8:21 am
February 9th, 2013
Hello Megan. Check with a pharmacist about the answer to this question. But BE SURE to tell the ENT specialist about the codeine BEFORE the procedure for the tubes. I wish you the best! It sounds like you’re dealing with a lot at the moment!!!
8:14 pm
February 10th, 2013
hello,my age is 24 yr…i was having cough problem due to that my dr. prescribed Grilinctus_cd cough syrup ,which contain codeine phosphate nd chlorpheniramine maleate .after taking it for 4 5 day, i just realise that on pressing my breast i saw whistist discharge coming out.this is a serious issue??or this happen on taking codein? .shall i concern other dr for this issue?
2:16 pm
February 11th, 2013
Hello Natassha. It would probably be best to go in for a doctor’s check. Breast fluid or discharge is not associated with use of codeine, as far as I know.
11:47 pm
February 11th, 2013
I was taking Tylenol with cocedine for a really bad tooth ache. I am scheduled to take a urine drug test on Wednesday I was taking the pills all weekend until I was able to go to the dentist on Monday. I took 18 pills in three days 300/30mg. Will it show up in my urine? & should I let them know before I take the test? I don’t want this to keep me from getting this job because I don’t use any other drugs. Please advise!!!!
10:23 am
February 12th, 2013
Hi Shannon. Just bring your prescription with you to the testing center. As long as you are taking the medication as prescribed, your test will come back NEGATIVE for abuse, even if codeine is detected in your system.
8:51 am
March 1st, 2013
Hello,
I have been taking co-codamols regularly for many years and realised I was addicted about 5 years ago. This has now been addressed and I stopped taking the tablets the day before yesterday. I haven’t had any for 30 hours. I was taking 4 doses of 8/500 (x2) co-codamols every day. I don’t want to tell the doctor about this and I’m quite confident I can manage this with support from friends and family.
My question is – how long before I stop craving codeine?
I’ve looked online and can’t find an answer and I’d really like to have a milestone to look forward to (similar to people who quit smoking always say the first 3 days are the worst.).
Can you help?
Thank you.
10:48 am
March 1st, 2013
Hi Faye. Cravings are a function of the way that opiates like codeine affect reinforced brain circuitry in the pleasure center of the brain (the VGA). Unlike other acute symptoms of codeine withdrawal which resolve in the first week after you stop taking codeine, cravings can be present for weeks to months after you stop using codeine. Cravings are best treated with cognitive behavioral therapies; in effect, changing the way that you think. The best course of action might be to find a therapist in your area who specializes in compulsion related to drug use, and/or seek out self-help programs like SMART Recovery. Does this help?
7:05 pm
March 1st, 2013
An recovering addict was around me last night with constricted pupils, and glassy eyes. He seemed anxious and jittery. When I confronted him about his appearance, he later claimed that he still had some prescription cough syrup with codeine and took it 2x that day for a cold. Would codeine cause constricted pupils, or dialited pupils?
4:25 pm
March 8th, 2013
Hi.
If you took 3 teaspoons of codeine without a script (prometh/codeine) 51 days ago and had a hair test in about 10-12 more days,would that be enough to test positive for opiates?
Thanks.
6:58 pm
March 14th, 2013
I had a bad headache and no pain reliever in the house so I took 1 tylenol 3. This was a old RX of my son and did not think of it at the time. I took the medication at 8 pm and had to take a drug test the next morning at 9am. I do not take any other medications and only took 1 pill. Will it be enough to go over the cutoff limit for codeine on the drug test.
7:21 pm
March 15th, 2013
Hello,
my husband has been abusing Tabletts with codeine for many years in very high quantities. He now has a fractured bone and the prescribed Endone (1 -2 tablettes every 4 hours, which he also doesn’t adhere to and takes 6 instead) doesn’t work. His doctor knows about his addiction and prescribed additional codeine tabletts. He is still in excrutiating pain.
Is there any way to help with his pain? Akupuncture did not help either.
Many thanks
3:36 am
March 30th, 2013
Thanks so much. I’m pleased to say I haven’t had any codeine since my last post and I’m no longer suffering cravings. I’m very confident I won’t be returning to my addiction. For anyone else who is in a similar situation, I found that the cravings were no longer distracting me from about day 6 or 7.
Now to tackle the nicotine addiction!
Thank you
3:50 pm
April 8th, 2013
My friend and I thought mixing codeine with juice would be a good idea to have a good time…… I drank it two days ago and ever since i drank it i have felt awful, I have bad headaches, nauseous, always sleepy,and loss of appetite…… I’m a little nervous and not sure what to do….. this is my first time drinking it
5:32 am
April 9th, 2013
Hi Sean. The effects of codeine don’t usually last longer than 12 hours, tops. However, check in with a doctor to report what happened, or to diagnose possible other illness.
3:55 pm
April 15th, 2013
I took about 2 teaspoons of acetaminophen/codeine las night and have a drug test that expires tommorrow, however the medicine is expired for about 10 mnths now. Will this substance show up in my drug test?
6:42 pm
April 21st, 2013
How does codeine enter the body please tell me