Does Percocet show up on drug tests?

Yes. The active ingredient in Percocet is an opiate painkiller which will show up on routine drug tests. More on the most common types of drug tests used to detect Percocet here.

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Yes. Percocet shows up on drug tests.

Percocet is a narcotic painkilling medication containing oxycodone. Oxycodone shows up as a positive for opiates on most standard 5 panel drug tests. Because of the high rate of abuse associated with opiate medications like Percocet, standard drug screens will be able to detect oxycodone in urine. More on drug testing for Percocet here.

Why order a drug test for Percocet?

Employers and law enforcement order tests for Percocet to identify prescription drug abuse, a major problem in the U.S. Opiates are part of that focus due to their highly addictive nature. Other times, doctors might order drug tests for Percocet when you’re admitted to a hospital with a suspected drug overdose.  In these cases, toxicology screening can help best determine treatment options.

Types of Percocet testing

There are a few different ways that oxycodone might be detected in your system via drug testing. The most common testing you’ll probably be asked to submit to would be a urine sample. Opiate medications can also be detected using blood or hair samples. Blood samples are more likely to be requested in a medical setting, and hair samples might be used to detect past Percocet use several weeks after taking the drug.  The most common types of Percocet drug testing use samples or specimens taken from:

1. Percocet blood based test

2. Percocet hair follicle test

3. Percocet urine screen

Percocet detection

Detection of Percocet depends upon a number of factors. For example, your weight, size, Percocet dosage, and frequency of dose can all impact Percocet drug testing.

Oxycodone hits peak levels in urine within eight hours of initially taking Percocet. After that, oxycodone levels begin to decline after 24 to 48 hours. Low levels of the drug – those below 300-ng/mL – may not be picked up by urine tests. But generally, oxycodone stays in the system and can be detected 1-3 days after use.

Testing positive for Percocet

If you’re taking Percocet to help manage pain after a medical procedure or operation or to help with chronic pain…and are taking Percocet as prescribed, you have nothing to worry about. But you’ll want to let the test administrator know – otherwise, there may be some uncomfortable questions when you test positive for opiate use. If, however, you are taking Percocet for recreational use, most standard drug tests will pick up the presence of Percocet in your system. Consequences will depend on who is testing for Percocet and why.

Percocet use and abuse

There’s a reason that oxycodone is a controlled substance and that you can’t get Percocet without a prescription. The fact is that Percocet abuse is dangerous. The oxycodone portion of the medication is addictive, but the added acetaminophen in Percocet can easily cause liver damage if taken in excessive amounts. It’s a bit harder to overdose on the oxycodone within Percocet, but it can cause breathing problems and high blood pressure, which can be deadly.

Do I have a problem with Percocet?

If you think that you have a problem with Percocet, you probably do. If you want to stop taking Percocet, there is help. Please leave us your questions about Percocet, drug screens for Percocet or other questions about Percocet use here. We will be happy to answer your questions with a personal and prompt reply.

Reference Sources: DailyMed drug information for Percocet
Forensic drug testing for opiates. VI. Urine testing for hydromorphone, hydrocodone, oxymorphone, and oxycodone with commercial opiate immunoassays and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry.
Drug Enforcement Administration Office of Diversion Control: Oxycodone
About the author
Lee Weber is a published author, medical writer, and woman in long-term recovery from addiction. Her latest book, The Definitive Guide to Addiction Interventions is set to reach university bookstores in early 2019.
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