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How Long Does Fentanyl Stay in Your System?
Fentanyl is a powerful synthetic opioid pain reliever that is similar to morphine but is 50 to 100 times more potent. It is a schedule II prescription drug typically used to treat patients with severe pain or manage pain after surgery. Fentanyl can be administered as a patch on the skin, a lozenge, a sublingual tablet, or through injection.
Fentanyl abuse has been rising in recent years as the drug has become more readily available through illegal channels. Fentanyl is often mixed with heroin or cocaine to increase its potency, leading to accidental overdoses. It is a sad fact that many people who abuse fentanyl do not even know that they are taking it, as it is often mixed into other drugs without the user’s knowledge.
According to CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, there were more than 107,000 overdose deaths involving opioids in the United States in 2021; a significant portion of these involved fentanyl.
How Long Does Fentanyl Last In Your System?
While the effects of fentanyl can be felt within minutes, the drug itself can remain in your system for days or even weeks. This is because fentanyl has a half-life of around 3 to 4 hours, which means that it takes that long for half of the drug to be metabolized and eliminated from your body.
However, this doesn’t mean that the effects of fentanyl will only last for 3 to 4 hours. The half-life of a drug is different from its duration of action, which is how long the effects of the drug will last. For fentanyl, the duration of action is much shorter than the half-life, meaning that the effects of the drug will wear off before all of it has been metabolized and eliminated from your body.
So, how long do the effects of fentanyl last? It depends on the individual, but most people will feel the effects of fentanyl for around 1 to 2 hours. However, some people may feel the effects for longer, and some may feel them for shorter periods of time.
After the initial effects of fentanyl wear off, you may still have traces of the drug in your system. This is because fentanyl can be detected in urine tests, blood tests, and saliva tests for up to 3 days after last use. So, if you’re going to be tested for drug use, it’s important to know that fentanyl could still show up on a test even if you haven’t used it for a few days.
Overall, the effects of fentanyl will usually last for around 1 to 2 hours, but the drug itself can remain in your system for days or even weeks. If you’re going to be tested for drug use, it’s important to know that traces of fentanyl can still be detected on a test 3 days after the last use.
What Happens If You Take Too Much Fentanyl?
If you’ve ever been prescribed fentanyl, you know that it’s a powerful medication. But do you know what happens inside your body and brain when you accidentally take too much of fentanyl?
Overdosing on fentanyl can be dangerous and even life-threatening. Symptoms of a fentanyl overdose may include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Dizziness
- Nausea or vomiting
- Profuse sweating
- Severe drowsiness or sleepiness
- Weakness or muscle paralysis
If you experience any of these symptoms after taking fentanyl, do not think twice before calling for medical help immediately. Overdosing on fentanyl can lead to coma and death. If you suspect that someone has overdosed on fentanyl, call 911 right away.
How To Find Help For A Fentanyl Addiction?
If you or someone you know is hooked on fentanyl, it’s critical to seek help as soon as possible. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, and if that is not enough, it is also up to 100 times more powerful than morphine. Commonly prescribed for pain alleviation, the high potency of fentanyl may lead to addiction and abuse.
There are several drug rehab centers that can assist people struggling with fentanyl addiction, including our drug treatment program. These centers provide detoxification, therapy, and other services which help people in overcoming their addictions and living a better life.
Author: Joe Gilmore
