By Edmund Murphy

Last updated: 19 October 2023 & medically reviewed by Dr. Celeste Small

Tramadol is an opioid painkiller that can be detected in urine, blood, saliva, and hair drugs tests.

Key takeaways:

  • Tramadol's half-life is approximately 7 hours, though the drug can be detected in the system for up to 90 days.

  • The length of time Tramadol is detectable in the system varies depending on a variety of factors including gender, age, and body weight.

  • Tramadol use can lead to dependence and addiction, which can have devastatingly negative consequences for the user and those around them. 

How long does Tramadol stay in your system?

Tramadol can be administered in different forms with different strengths, the longest of which lasts up to 24 hours. Tramadol's half-life is approximately 7 hours, though the drug can be detected in the system for up to 90 days.

Tramadol detection times by drug test

The length of time Tramadol is detectable in the system varies depending on a variety of factors. These can include body mass index (BMI), how long the drug has been taken for, in what volume, age of user, and gender. It also changes depending on which of the four main types of identifying drug tests is used.

These are urine testing, blood testing, hair follicle testing, and saliva testing. The length of time Tramadol is identifiable in each test is as below.

Test type

Time period

Urine

Up 96 hours

Blood

Up to 24 hours

Hair

Up to 90 days

Saliva

Up to 48 days

Visit our guide to see how long other drugs remain in the system compared to Tramadol.

Factors that affect tramadol detection times

There are many factors that 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 tramadol abuse, or someone who uses tramadol in large quantities will have detectable 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 tramadol detection rates include:

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

Tramadol addiction & treatment

Being concerned that you may test positive for tramadol use in a drug test is a prime indicator that you have a substance use disorder. Tramadol use can lead to dependence and addiction, which can have devastatingly negative consequences for the user and those around them. 

Getting treatment from a rehab facility can help to get tramadol out of your system and regain control of your life. Visit our rehab directory to find a rehab center near you

If you are concerned about testing positive for cocaine use, it is critical that you seek substance use treatment as soon as possible.