October 6, 2022Tyler Collins
Are you worried about a fentanyl drug test? Do you know how long this powerful opioid stays in your system? It’s not uncommon for people who have dabbled with drugs to experience anxiety about an upcoming drug test.
While for some people, taking fentanyl may be intentional for recreation, there are also cases when people unknowingly take the drug. Fentanyl is often added to different illicit drugs and prescription meds to increase their potency, and people who use these impure drugs may inadvertently be taking fentanyl as well.
In this article, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about how long fentanyl stays in your system. We’ll answer your questions and provide some helpful tips to help you detoxify from the drug. So whether you’re an addict concerned about passing a drug test or just curious about this potent drug, keep reading!
What is Fentanyl?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid that is typically only prescribed for people who are in severe pain or who have developed a tolerance to other opioids. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, which in itself is already a strong painkiller.
The drug is available in different forms. While it may be an effective painkiller, the problem is that it is so potent which makes it highly addictive.
What is dangerous is that many illegal drug manufacturers use fentanyl as a way to increase the potency of other drugs. This also makes the drugs cheaper to produce since only a little amount of fentanyl is needed to achieve the desired effect.
Some of the most common drugs that have been found to be laced with fentanyl include heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Expensive prescription medications like OxyContin, Xanax, and Percocet have also been found to be laced with the drug.
The problem is that people who use these drugs are often unaware that they contain fentanyl. This increases the risk of overdose and death, as even a small amount of the drug can be lethal.
There have also been news reports about how drug manufacturers disguise fentanyl in candy packaging. This is another alarming issue as it can affect unknowing consumers.
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your Urine, Blood, and Hair?
Like other opioids, fentanyl can be detected in your system using different drug tests. The most common ones are urine tests, hair follicle tests, and blood tests. Saliva tests, on the other hand, are not commonly used to test for fentanyl.
If you did not knowingly take fentanyl, a drug test might still be able to detect it in your system if you took a drug that was laced with it.
How long the drug stays in your system will depend on several factors, including:
- How often you use the drug
- How much you took
- The potency of the drug
- Your metabolism and current health status
Generally, however, fentanyl can be detected in the following time frames depending on the drug test used.
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your Urine?
Fentanyl can be detected in your urine for up to 3 days after taking the drug. The detection window is shorter if you have only taken the drug once or if the drug is not pure fentanyl. It may also be possible for metabolites of the drug called norfentanyl to be detected in your urine for up to 4 days.
Urine Test for Fentanyl – 1 to 3 Days
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your Blood?
Blood tests are not as common as urine tests when testing drugs. However, some companies or organizations may prefer a more invasive method like a blood test.
Fentanyl can be detected in your blood for up to 2 days after taking the drug. However, the detection window is shorter if you have only taken the drug once or if the drug is not pure fentanyl.
Blood Test for Fentanyl – 5 hours to 2 Days
How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your Hair?
Fentanyl can also be detected in your hair follicles for up to 90 days. This is the longest detection window as hair follicle tests can detect even small amounts of drugs that have been taken months ago.
Hair Follicle Test for Fentanyl – 90 Days
How to Get Fentanyl Out of Your System?
If you have been taking fentanyl for a while, then the best way to get it out of your system is to detox from the drug. You might try other alternative means found online or in Reddit forums, but the reality is that there is no sure way to get the drug out of your system other than going through proper detox treatment.
Detoxing from the drug on your own is not only difficult, but it can also be dangerous. This is because of the severe withdrawal symptoms that may manifest.
The best way to detox from fentanyl is to do so under the supervision of a medical professional. This will ensure that you are comfortable and safe throughout the process.
Reach out for help if you or someone you know is struggling with an addiction to fentanyl. There are many resources available to help you get through this difficult time.
