How Long Does Codeine Stay in Your System?

Edmund Murphy
Dr. Samantha Miller
Written by Edmund Murphy on 07 January 2022
Medically reviewed by Dr. Samantha Miller on 19 June 2024

Codeine is a form of prescription opioid painkiller that is used to treat those suffering from mild to moderate pain. Codeine can be traced in urine, blood, hair, and saliva drug tests, as the table below shows.

Drug Test TypeCodeine Detection Time
UrineUp to 3 days
BloodUp to 24 hours
HairUp to 90 days
SalivaUp to 4 days
Key takeaways:
  • Codeine is detectable in urine for up to 3 days after taking the drug.
  • While codeine opioid metabolites will be detectable in both regular codeine consumption and lean, the overall detection time of lean may be slightly different.
  • This is due to the different combinations of substances contained in lean and how they interact with the body.
How Long Does Codeine Stay in Your System?

How long is Codeine detectable in your system?

The length of time codeine is detectable in the system varies depending on a variety of factors, including body mass index (BMI), how long the drug has been taken, in what dosage, the age of the user, and gender. It also changes depending on which of the four main types of identifying tests is used. These are urine testing, blood testing, hair follicle testing, and saliva testing. The length of time codeine is identifiable in each test is as below. Read here for more info on drug tests and when you may be required to take one.

Factors that affect codeine detection times

Many factors can influence the detection rate in a toxicology test and these can vary from person to person. For instance, someone with a long history of opioid abuse, or someone who uses codeine in large quantities will have detectable opioid metabolites in their system for longer than someone who hasn’t. The same is also true if someone abuses multiple drugs or combines them with alcohol regularly. 

Other factors that influence crack cocaine detection rates include:

  • Body mass index (BMI)
  • Gender
  • Age
  • Pre-existing medical conditions (especially those involving the liver or kidneys)

Does lean stay in the system for the same amount of time as codeine?

While codeine opioid metabolites will be detectable in both regular codeine consumption and lean, the overall detection time of lean may be slightly different. 

This is due to the different combinations of substances contained in lean and how they interact with the body. For example, if a lean drink combination contains a high level of alcohol, it can affect how the liver processes the toxins in the body and how long it will take to metabolize codeine. This makes it almost impossible to say how long lean will stay in any individual's system.

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Resources:

  1. NHS . (2019).Codeine. NHS. h

Activity History - Last updated: 19 June 2024, Published date:


Reviewer

Dr. Samantha Miller is a practicing NHS doctor based in Glasgow, UK, who regularly contributes as a medical reviewer for mental health and addiction.

Activity History - Medically Reviewed on 10 December 2022 and last checked on 19 June 2024

Medically reviewed by
Dr. Samantha Miller

MBChB

Dr. Samantha Miller

Reviewer

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