Fentanyl is so powerful that it is estimated to be 50 times stronger than heroin and 100 times stronger than morphine.
While fentanyl can be effective in emergency medicine, it can be harmful when abused recreationally. Each day more than 150 Americans die from an overdose related to a synthetic opioid like fentanyl.[1] But pharmaceutical fentanyl isn’t what is commonly found on the streets today. Illicitly manufactured fentanyl (IMF) is powdered or liquid fentanyl that is commonly created overseas and smuggled into the U.S. This is the type of fentanyl behind most fentanyl overdoses today.
Fentanyl will show up on a drug test 24-72 hours after the last dose. It can also be detected in hair, blood, and saliva tests, but for varying lengths of time. Exactly how long fentanyl stays in your system depends on the extent of your fentanyl use, your metabolism, and other individual factors.
UNDERSTANDING THE EFFECTS OF FENTANYL AND HOW IT IS METABOLIZED
Like other opioids, fentanyl is a central nervous system (CNS) depressant that works by attaching to and activating opioid receptors throughout the brain and body. Opioid receptors regulate pain, emotion, and more. When fentanyl binds to and activates these receptors, increased dopamine activity occurs, causing feelings of euphoria as well as pain relief.
Using fentanyl will slow down your breathing and heart rate, so taking too much can result in a life-threatening overdose.
Common side effects of fentanyl use include:[2]
- Confusion
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Pinpoint pupils
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Constipation
- Heaviness in the arms and legs
- Itching
How quickly these effects appear and how long they last depend on the method of use. Injecting or smoking fentanyl will produce effects almost instantaneously while snorting it or taking it orally will take longer for it to kick in. The effects of fentanyl usually last 1-2 hours, unless you have taken an extended-release version such as Duragesic or Abstal, which are brand names for the fentanyl patch.
After ingestion, fentanyl is primarily metabolized in the liver through several enzymatic processes. The liver breaks fentanyl down into several metabolites, norfentanyl, hydroxyfentanyl, norhydrofentanyl, dihydrofentanyl, and nor-dihydrofentanyl. Norfentanyl, the primary metabolite of fentanyl, has a longer half-life than fentanyl itself and can be detected in your system for longer periods of time.
Once metabolized, norfentanyl and other metabolites are eliminated from the body via urine.
FENTANYL DETECTION ESTIMATES IN URINE, BLOOD, SALIVA, AND HAIR
Even though the effects of fentanyl only last for a few hours, traces of the drug can be detected in your system for much longer. Exactly how long depends on the type of test and individual factors such as your length of use, weight, age, and liver health.[3] The following are estimates for the average healthy adult.
- Urine – Fentanyl can show up on a urine test for 24-72 hours after your last dose. Some urine tests can screen for norfentanyl, which can be detected in the body for up to 96 hours after the last use.
- Blood – Blood tests can detect fentanyl for 5-48 hours after the last dose.
- Saliva – Saliva tests are not considered reliable when it comes to detecting fentanyl use.
- Hair – Hair tests can detect fentanyl for up to 3 months (90 days) after the last dose.
WHEN DO DRUG TESTS LOOK FOR FENTANYL?
Most standard drug tests can detect fentanyl use for several hours or days after the last dose. Some tests may specify fentanyl, while others will test positive for opioids without specifying which one. However, tests can be sent off for laboratory testing to confirm the type(s) of metabolites found in your system.
There are several situations that may require your compliance when it comes to drug testing, such as:
- Pre-employment drug testing
- Legal situations such as in the event of a car accident or crime
- Healthcare settings
FACTORS THAT AFFECT HOW LONG FENTANYL STAYS IN YOUR SYSTEM
There are several variables that can influence how long fentanyl stays in your body. These include:
- Age
- Weight
- Metabolism
- Liver health
- Length of fentanyl use
- Dose taken
- Frequency of fentanyl use
- Method of administration
- pH of urine
IS THERE ANY WAY TO GET FENTANYL OUT OF YOUR SYSTEM FASTER?
Over-the-counter detox cleanses or tricks and tips found on online forums are often ineffective at getting drugs out of your system any faster. The only way to do so is to let your body break the fentanyl down and eliminate it. A few things you can do to aid in the process include eating a healthy diet, drinking plenty of water, and getting adequate sleep. Each of these actions will help boost your immune system and metabolism.
HOW TO STOP TAKING FENTANYL SAFELY
If you have been using fentanyl regularly for an extended period of time, you may be physically dependent on it. As a result, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you stop taking it.
Fentanyl withdrawal begins about 6-12 hours after the last dose and can last for about a week. Symptoms include:
- Irritability
- Anxiety
- Cravings
- Insomnia
- Runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Weakness
- Chills
- Sweating
- Body aches
- Appetite loss
- Difficulty sleeping
- Increased blood pressure
- Increased heart rate
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
These symptoms can be severe, so it is always important to detox under the guidance of a healthcare professional.
The best way to cope with fentanyl withdrawal is to seek help from a trusted detox center. A fentanyl detox program can provide you with around-the-clock care and support as well as medications like methadone or buprenorphine that can alleviate withdrawal symptoms.
GET HELP FOR FENTANYL ABUSE AND ADDICTION TODAY
If you’re concerned about yourself or a loved one who is using fentanyl, please contact our team today. We offer a variety of comprehensive substance abuse treatment programs with flexible schedules and levels of intensity, so we can help you choose the program that meets your needs. Reach out to us today to get started.
References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Fentanyl Facts, Retrieved June 2023 from https://www.cdc.gov/stopoverdose/fentanyl/index.html
- United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA): Fentanyl, Retrieved June 2023 from https://www.dea.gov/factsheets/fentanyl
- National Library of Medicine, Protracted Renal Clearance of Fentanyl in Persons with Opioid Use Disorder, Retrieved June 2023 from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7594258/
