How Long Does Tylenol #3 (Tylenol With Codeine) Stay in Your System

How Long Does Tylenol #3 (Tylenol With Codeine) Stay in Your System Addiction Drug Use Opioids Print How Long Does Tylenol #3 (Tylenol With Codeine) Stay in Your System? Tylenol #3 in Your Blood, Urine, Hair, Saliva By Buddy T facebook twitter Buddy T is an anonymous writer and founding member of the Online Al-Anon Outreach Committee with decades of experience writing about alcoholism. Learn about our editorial policy Buddy T Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Steven Gans, MD on October 27, 2019 Steven Gans, MD is board-certified in psychiatry and is an active supervisor, teacher, and mentor at Massachusetts General Hospital. Learn about our Medical Review Board Steven Gans, MD Updated on February 13, 2020 Tassii / Getty Images More in Addiction Drug Use Opioids Cocaine Heroin Marijuana Meth Ecstasy/MDMA Hallucinogens Prescription Medications Alcohol Use Addictive Behaviors Nicotine Use Coping and Recovery In This Article Table of Contents Expand Effects Duration Factors That Affect Detection Time Elimination Symptoms of Overdose Getting Help View All Back To Top Tylenol #3, also known as Tylenol with codeine, is a prescription version of the same Tylenol thats available over the counter at the drugstore. Youve probably reached for Tylenol (or its generic version, acetaminophen) more than once to treat a headache, ease muscle soreness after a tough workout, or bring down a fever.?? The addition of codeine, a prescription analgesic (pain reliever) that works on the central nervous system, is the reason Tylenol #3 is available only by prescription. Codeine is an opiate, or narcotic, and as such can be habit-forming if not taken exactly as directed by a doctor.?? Because of its high potential for misuse and physical dependence, codeine is classified as a Schedule II, III, IV, and V drug, depending on its formulation and use. Drugs containing less than 90 milligrams of codeine per dosage unit, which includes Tylenol #3, are classified as Schedule III drugs. Both acetaminophen and codeine have risks for serious interactions with other medications and overdoses. If you know more about how long Tylenol #3 stays in your body, you may better understand how to avoid these reactions. How Long Does Tylenol #3 Stay in Your System? Urine: Up to three daysBlood: Up to 24 hoursSaliva: Up to four daysHair: Up to 90 days How Long Does It Take to Feel the Effects? After ingestion, it usually takes about an hour to begin feeling the pain-relieving effects of Tylenol #3, which can last roughly three to four hours, depending on your dosage. Codeine is metabolized by the body into morphine. At higher doses, morphine and other opioids can cause feelings of elation, analgesia, and euphoria as well as dangerous side effects, including stopping of the heart and brain damage. Common side effects of codeine include: LightheadednessDrowsinessHeadacheMood changesStomach painConstipationDifficulty urinating Common side effects of acetaminophen include: HeadacheNausea In rare cases, acetaminophen can cause a severe skin reaction that can be fatal. Call your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following side effects: Skin rednessA rash that spreads and causes blistering and peelingNoising breathingShallow breathingLight-headedness (like youre going to pass out)ConfusionSevere dizzinessNauseaUpper stomach painItchingLoss of appetiteDark urineClay-colored stoolsJaundiceYellowing of the skin or eyes All About Acetaminophen How Long Does Tylenol #3 Last? The half-life of a medication is the time it takes for the drug to decrease to half of its original concentration, or put another way, the time it takes for half of a dose to be eliminated from the body. The half-lives of the components of Tylenol #3 are slightly different: Acetaminophen: Each Tylenol #3 tablet contains 300 milligrams (mg) of acetaminophen. For most people, this amount of Tylenol has a half-life in the blood of 1.25 to 3 hours. All of the drug will have passed out through the urine within 24 hours. Note that this could take longer in someone who has a poor liver function.??Codeine: There is 30 mg of codeine in a single Tylenol #3 tablet. Codeine takes longer to clear from the system than acetaminophen. Typically, codeine has a half-life of 2.5 to three hours and it can continue to work in the body for four to six hours. Codeine continues to show up in urine for as many as three days after being taken.?? Urine Urine screenings, which are the most commonly used drug tests because they are relatively easy and cost-effective to administer, can detect the codeine in Tylenol #3 in your system for up to three days after use.   Blood Blood tests, which are used less frequently because they are more invasive and costly than urine tests, have a 24-hour window for detecting the codeine in Tylenol #3.   Saliva Codeine in Tylenol #3 is detectable in oral fluid taken in saliva testing for up to four days after ingestion.     Hair Codeine use can be detected by a hair follicle test for a longer periodâ€"up to three months.   False Positive Testing If you consume just one poppy seed muffin or two poppy seed bagels, it can trigger a false-positive test result for opiates.?? Poppy seeds contain trace amounts of codeine. Certain medications, including certain allergy and cold medications (diphenhydramine), sleep aids (doxylamine), and medications to treat hypertension (Verapamil), have been found to cause false-positives for opiates on enzyme immunoassay (EIA) drug tests as well.?? Its important to let the lab clinician know if you have eaten anything or taken any medications or supplements that might affect your results. Factors That Affect Detection Time How long Tylenol #3 is detectable in your body depends on a variety of factors, including the dosage and how often you use the medication as well as your weight, age, metabolism, and overall health. Age Older adults tend to clear the drug at a slower pace than younger adults. Metabolism Your metabolic rate, which can be influenced by age, activity level, and overall health, influences the detection time of Tylenol #3. In general, the slower your metabolism, the longer the drug will remain in your system. Overall Health Because the liver and kidneys both play a role in the metabolism of the drug, impaired liver and kidney function can mean that it takes longer to metabolize Tylenol #3. Frequency Dosage A higher dose of Tylenol #3 will take longer to process and excrete than a lower dose. Similarly, if youve been taking the drug for some time, it will take longer to clear your system. How to Get Tylenol #3 Out of Your System Like other drugs, the best way to get Tylenol #3 out of your system is to stop using the drug and give your body time to process and eliminate it. Staying well-hydrated and getting regular exercise cant hurt but this doesnt mean that sweating out or flushing out the drug with tons of water will help. This method will only dilute the drug test and youll likely have to retake it. if you plan to stop using the drug, work with your doctor. Its best to taper off of prescriptions containing codeine in order to avoid unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Symptoms of Overdose Codeine also can be extremely dangerous if theres too much of the drug in the body at once, whether its taken alone or as an active ingredient in Tylenol #3. The same may be true of acetaminophen  even though its a non-narcotic pain reliever,?? but for different reasons. If you take the medication exactly as your doctor prescribed and youre careful to not take another drug that could interact with acetaminophen or codeine, you shouldnt have any problems taking Tylenol #3. Still, its good to be aware of the following symptoms of a potential overdose: Slow, shallow, labored breathing??Respiratory arrestPinpoint pupilsLow blood pressure??ComaConvulsionsDrowsinessStupor (lack of alertness)??Bluish lips or skin under fingernailsCold, clammy skinHeavy sweating Symptoms of Tylenol #3 overdose may not be evident right away, but may include: NauseaVomitingAbdominal pain If you suspect that you or a loved one may be experiencing an overdose, call 911 or seek medical help immediately. Understanding Opioid Overdoses Dangerous Interactions Acetaminophen has a narrow safety range. If you take more than 4,000mg per day, you risk irreversible liver damage that ultimately can lead to death. Damage and overdose can happen more easily than you might think because acetaminophen is an ingredient in many different combination medications, such as cold or allergy drugs designed to target multiple symptoms. For this reason, combination medications like Tylenol #3 are limited to no more than 325mg of acetaminophen per tablet, capsule, or other dosage unit. Before you take another medication, read the ingredient list carefully. If the medication contains acetaminophen (in Europe: paracetamol), note how many milligrams there are per dose. Do the math to make sure you dont exceed 4,000mg in a 24-hour period. Safer yet, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Tylenol #3 and another product containing acetaminophen. Codeine may also cause serious breathing problems in some individuals, especially during the first day or two of taking it. In fact, its generally recommended that people who have conditions such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) use codeine with significant caution.?? Codeine can interact with other medications and substances, too. Because it affects the central nervous system, you should be careful not to take other drugs that can slow breathing or cause drowsiness while taking Tylenol #3, or before its likely to have cleared from your system. Do not drink alcohol while using Tylenol #3. Also, you shouldnt take other medications that contain acetaminophen or that might have sedative properties, including: Cold or allergy medicinesPain relieversSleeping pillsTranquilizers Tell your doctor about all prescription, non-prescription, and over-the-counter medications youre taking so they can check for interactions and adjust dosages as needed. A Closer Look at Tylenol Overdose Getting Help Having too much codeine in the body poses several risks. For one, the drug can be habit-forming, meaning it could cause a person to develop a dependence. If youve been taking Tylenol #3 for several weeks or longer and want to stop, talk to your doctor. They can help you taper off the drug safely by decreasing your dose slowly. Suddenly stopping the medication may lead to withdrawal symptoms, including:   RestlessnessWidened pupils (black circles in the center of the eyes)Teary eyesIrritabilityAnxietyRunny noseDifficulty falling asleepStaying asleepYawningSweatingFast breathingFast heartbeatChillsNauseaLoss of appetiteVomitingDiarrheaStomach crampsMuscle aches How Long Does Withdrawal From Opioids Last? Even when taken as prescribed, codeine in Tylenol #3 has a high risk of dependence. If you think you are becoming dependent on the drug, talk to your doctor about treatment options, which may include medications to relieve withdrawal symptoms. Your doctor can also refer you to a mental health professional or addiction treatment facility for longer-term treatment and support. For free, confidential information on substance use recovery and treatment, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMHSA)  national helpline  at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).