The prescription painkiller Vicodin, a combination of acetaminophen and hydrocodone, is quickly becoming a drug of choice for teens and adults, and this trend has placed an emphasis on determining how long Vicodin stays in the system. Because prescription pills like Vicodin are legal, they lack the stigma placed on illicit drugs like marijuana and cocaine, but the addictive power of Vicodin is actually stronger than most ‘street’ drugs. For employers and parents who want to ensure that their workers or children are free from Vicodin abuse, first it is necessary to determine exactly how long Vicodin stays in the system under various circumstances. Typically, Vicodin is detectable in the body’s system for a few days, up to one week, after the last pill was ingested. These figures are subject to external factors such as the rate of metabolization, the potency of the pill being taken, and whether or not any other drugs or alcohol was consumed along with the Vicodin.

The various drug testing options available to parents and employers will each provide a differing look into how long Vicodin has been in a subject’s system. For example, the typical urinalysis drug test used by probation offices and workplace testing programs can detect traces of Vicodin use for up to 5 days. The hair follicle drug test, on the other hand, is powerful enough to detect Vicodin metabolites for up to 3 months after the substance was last ingested. This is because hydrocodone metabolizes in the body at a slower rate than acetaminophen, and the resulting metabolites are stored by the body in new hair growth. Variables such as the weight, height, age, and tolerance of the subject can alter how long Vicodin stays in the system, so it is important to take these factors into account when implementing a Vicodin drug testing program.

The fact that Vicodin is a prescription painkiller means that some employees will test positive even though they are not abusing the drug. For people who have suffered minor injuries like broken bones, a prescription of Vicodin is necessary to alleviate their pain and suffering. It is crucial that drug testing programs take this into account, and if someone tests positive for Vicodin initially, it is best to conduct a follow up test 2 weeks later, to determine if a pattern of drug abuse is evident. Finding out how long Vicodin stays in the system is the initial step for devising a testing program to ensure that a household or workplace is drug free.