One of the most powerful prescription drugs available today, fentanyl is an opioid that can treat severe pain. However, it is 80-100 times more potent than morphine, and even small doses can be extremely lethal. Unfortunately, its efficacious opioid characteristics give it a high potential for addiction and abuse. Recreational use and illicit drugs laced with fentanyl take thousands of lives through accidental overdoses. So, how long does fentanyl stay in your system?
This is an important question that we’ll be focusing on in this article. How long fentanyl takes to eliminate from the body is crucial information for doctors prescribing the drug for therapeutic reasons. It is also of interest to patients who wish to control their dosage and avoid accidentally taking too much of the drug. With a drug this potent, it’s critical to get the right information to prevent overdose and possible complications.
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay In Your System?
The duration of time that any drug stays in the body has to do with its elimination half-life. This measures how long it takes for the drug to go from its maximum concentration within the blood to half of the maximum concentration. But why choose this measurement?
Well, the body processes all ingested substances by metabolizing them, usually through the liver. As the drug is metabolized or broken down into different chemicals, the concentration of the original drug within the body decreases. For example, a common drug like ibuprofen has an elimination half-life of anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. Then, the byproducts of metabolism (the metabolites) are excreted mainly through the urine.
Another factor that determines fentanyl’s half-life in the body is the method of administration. Doctors can prescribe lozenges, transdermal patches, nasal sprays, tablets, or injectable solutions. Illicit forms of fentanyl, on the other hand, are usually in powder or tablet form or available mixed with other drugs.
If used through a transdermal patch, fentanyl can stay in your system for 20 to 27 hours. A urine drug test can detect fentanyl and its metabolic byproducts for 24-72 hours after use. However, a hair follicle drug test can detect fentanyl for up to three months after its last use.
Conclusion: Treating Opiate Addiction with Suboxone
Fentanyl offers a solution to chronic pain but can be highly addictive, with withdrawal symptoms that make patients extremely uncomfortable and make it difficult to discontinue use. If you would like to stop taking fentanyl, contact a doctor or clinic that offers Suboxone therapy. Suboxone is a medication that is widely used for treating opioid addiction. In combination with mental health and behavioral support, it can help you get rid of fentanyl addiction.
At Genesis Pain Clinic, we’re proud to be practitioners of the highest standard of interventional pain management. Our Suboxone medication-assisted treatment plan is the gold standard of care for treating opioid disorders. We offer diagnostic testing and regenerative medicine, with the mission to allow all our patients to live healthy, pain-free lives. Please give us a call if you have any questions at (913) 871-9888.
We’re proud to offer the best suboxone treatment in Kansas, and we look forward to helping you.
https://g.page/genesispainclinic?share
Genesis Pain Management Clinic of Overland Park
6700 W 121st St Ste #300, Overland Park, KS 66209
913-871-9888
www.genesispain.com