From the FDA Drug Label
Hydrocodone and its metabolites are eliminated primarily in the kidneys Approximately 85% of an oral dose appears in the urine within 24 hours of administration, most as the glucuronide conjugate, with small amounts of other conjugates and unchanged drug. The duration that Norco (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) stays positive in a urine drug screen is not directly stated in the provided drug labels. Key points:
- The half-life of hydrocodone is 3.8 ± 0.3 hours 1
- Hydrocodone and its metabolites are eliminated primarily in the kidneys 1
- Approximately 85% of an oral dose of acetaminophen appears in the urine within 24 hours of administration 1 However, the exact duration that hydrocodone stays positive in a urine drug screen cannot be determined from the provided information.
From the Research
Detection Time of Norco in Urine
The detection time of Norco (hydrocodone and acetaminophen) in urine can vary depending on several factors, including the dose taken and individual metabolism.
- According to a study published in 2012 2, peak concentrations of hydrocodone were found at 3:30-7:00 hours post-dose, while norhydrocodone peak concentrations were found at 4:20-13:00 hours post-dose.
- A 2013 study 3 found that at a cutoff concentration of 50 ng/mL, detection times were approximately 28 hours for hydrocodone and 40 hours for norhydrocodone.
- Another study published in 2014 4 analyzed urine specimens from patients on chronic opioid therapy and found that hydrocodone, hydromorphone, and norhydrocodone were detectable in urine for varying periods of time.
Factors Affecting Detection Time
Several factors can affect the detection time of Norco in urine, including:
- Dose and frequency of use: Higher doses and more frequent use can lead to longer detection times.
- Individual metabolism: People who metabolize drugs more slowly may have longer detection times.
- Presence of other substances: Certain substances, such as inhibitors of the cytochrome P450 enzyme, can affect the metabolism of hydrocodone and its metabolites.
Comparison with Other Specimens
Oral fluid specimens have been compared to urine specimens in terms of hydrocodone and metabolite detection:
- A 2014 study 5 found that the positive detection rate of parent drug and metabolites in oral fluid was much lower than in urine.
- The same study found that oral fluid had a much lower norhydrocodone to hydrocodone metabolic ratio compared to urine.