How Long Does Lortab Stay In Your System?

Many health care providers use Lortab to treat moderate to severe pain. This prescription drug consists of hydrocodone and acetaminophen. 

Hydrocodone is an opioid drug, sometimes called an opiate, that provides pain relief by activating opioid receptors on nerve cells throughout the body. 

Acetaminophen is a non-opioid painkiller and fever reducer that’s often sold by itself under the brand name Tylenol. 

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) states that Lortab has a high potential for abuse and addiction, especially when taken at higher doses. Like all drugs, it only stays in your system for a certain amount of time. 

How Long Does Lortab Stay in Your System?

When you ingest a drug, your liver metabolizes it and produces byproducts known as metabolites. The drug and its metabolites are later excreted through your digestive system. 

To determine how long a drug and its metabolites will stay in your system, you need to know the drug’s half-life. Half-life is the length of time it takes for half of a drug and its metabolites to exit a person’s system. 

Acetaminophen has a half-life of about one and a half hours to two and a half hours. Its metabolites include acetaminophen glucuronide and acetaminophen sulfate.

Hydrocodone has a half-life of about four to six hours. Its metabolites include norhydrocodone, hydromorphone, and dihydrocodeine. 

That means that half of Lortab and its metabolites should exit your system within six hours. However, the drug may be detected on drug tests for a much longer period of time.

Lortab Drug Testing Detection Times

In general, Lortab can be detected anywhere from one day to three months after the last dose, depending on the drug test.

Blood Tests

Although certain factors may play a role, Lortab may show up on a blood test for up to 24 hours after your last dose.

Urine Tests

A urine test is likely the most common type of drug test. Lortab may show up on a urine test for up to three days after your last dose.

Saliva Tests

For a saliva test, it’s likely that Lortab or hydrocodone will show up for three days after your last dose.

Hair Test

Unlike other drug tests, hair tests can detect trace levels of substances for long-periods of time. Lortab may show up on a hair test for up to 90 days after your last dose 

Factors That Impact Lortab Detection Times

The specific amount of time Lortab can be detected in your system depends on personal factors such as:

• age
• liver function, as the drug is metabolized by your liver
• metabolism rate
• body fat content
• Lortab dosage and frequency of use
• other medications
• other health conditions

If you or a loved one struggles with Lortab use, please reach out to an ARK Behavioral Health specialist to learn more about our inpatient and outpatient addiction treatment options.