How Long Fentanyl Stays In Your System
Fentanyl is a powerful and highly addictive opioid that is gaining more attention in the medical world due to its ability to quickly relieve pain. However, it has become increasingly concerning as reports of overdose and addiction have grown exponentially over the last decade.
It’s important to understand how long this drug stays in your system so that you can take the necessary precautions if using it. However, we also want to offer options for getting help if you think you might be addicted.
Following, we’ll discuss the half-life of Fentanyl and what that means for your body, as well as other factors that can affect how long it will stay in your system as well as how to get treatment and off for it for good.
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid pain medication. It is similar to morphine but 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a schedule II prescription drug, and it is typically used to treat patients with severe pain or to manage pain after surgery. When used as directed, it can be a safe and effective pain medication.
However, because of its potency, fentanyl carries a risk for abuse and overdose and is often abused. Many people start by taking opioids prescribed by a doctor but become addicted and search for other substances, like heroin, to service this addiction.
Fentanyl is often mixed in with other drugs, especially street opioids like heroin and fake painkiller tablets, to make them more potent. This is where fentanyl is especially dangerous. Because of its potency, and if users are unaware of its presence, it can cause overdoses. It is one of the leading causes of overdoses in the US.
Fentanyl can be prescribed as a patch, lozenge, or injected directly into the bloodstream, but is often found as a powder mixed in with other drugs.
How long does fentanyl stay in your system? The answer depends on several factors, including how much of the drug you took and how long ago you took it.
How drug tests work and the risks of opioid use
Generally speaking, fentanyl can be detectable in your system for up to 72 hours after last use, if surveyed by a urine test.
Since fentanyl is such a potent drug, it doesn’t stay in the system for very long. The half-life is only about 2 hours, which means that it will be out of your system within 4-5 hours after taking it. However, this doesn’t mean that the effects of the drug will wear off after 4-5 hours. Fentanyl can stay in your system and have an effect on you for up to 24 hours after taking it, and can be detected much longer.
There are several methods of detecting fentanyl in the body, including urine tests, blood tests, and hair follicle tests. Urine tests are the most common type of drug test, and can detect fentanyl for up to 72 hours after last use. Blood tests can detect it for up to 48 hours after last use. Hair follicle tests can detect fentanyl for up to 90 days after last use.
If you are taking fentanyl for pain relief, it is important to take it as prescribed and not to exceed the recommended dosage. Taking too much can lead to overdose and death. If you think you may have overdosed on any opioid, call 911 immediately.
Risks And Side Effects
Because fentanyl is so potent, it has a high potential for abuse and addiction. In addition, because it is so short-acting, people who abuse fentanyl often use it in a way that increases their risk of overdose. For instance, they may take multiple doses in a short period of time or take it intravenously (by injecting it directly into their veins).
Fentanyl also has a number of serious side effects, even when used as prescribed. These side effects include:
- Slowed breathing
- Reduced blood pressure
- Drowsiness
- Nausea and vomiting
- Confusion and disorientation
- Constipation
Fentanyl Addiction Treatment
If you or a loved one is struggling with opioid addiction, it’s important to get help as soon as possible. Fentanyl is a powerful opioid that can be deadly if not used correctly.
There are many treatment options available for opioid addiction. Inpatient and outpatient programs both effectively treat this disorder. Medications, such as buprenorphine and methadone, can help to ease withdrawal symptoms and cravings. Therapy, both individual and group, is also an important part of treatment.
The most important thing to remember is that recovery is possible. With the right treatment plan in place, you or your loved one can overcome addiction and live a healthy, happy life.
getting Help For Fentanyl abuse
If you or a loved one is addicted to fentanyl or any other opiates, time is of the essence. Sadly it’s often not a question of if, but when an overdose will occur.
If you would like help, we’re always available to talk. We can be reached at 877-958-5354, and are looking forward to helping you or your loved ones recover from addiction and lead the lives you deserve.
