How Long Does Demerol (Meperidine) Stay In Your System?

Demerol can stay in your system for about 2 days after the last dose. Drug testing methods can detect Demerol use for an average of 4 days after the last dose.

Demerol is a brand name prescription drug that contains meperidine, a strong synthetic opioid. 

Meperidine is prescribed as an analgesic (pain reliever) for managing severe pain or chronic pain. While other prescription opiates such as fentanyl, hydrocodone, and oxycodone have seen high rates of use in Ohio in the past 20 years, Demerol is also still prescribed in the state.

Meperidine is a Schedule II controlled substance with a high potential for drug abuse. Drug testing for opioid analgesic abuse can be performed by Ohio employers and addiction treatment centers.

Drug Testing & Detection Times For Demerol Use

Ohio drug testing centers may test for unchanged meperidine or its main metabolite, normeperidine, in your system. Drug testing can take samples of your blood, urine, hair follicles, and other parts of your body.

While meperidine has an average half-life of 2 to 5 hours, its main metabolite, normeperidine, has an average half-life of 15 to 30 hours. As a result, drug testing methods for meperidine likely have a detection window of up 36 hours.

How Long Does Demerol Stay In Your Urine?

Meperidine and its metabolites may be present in urine for 2 to 4 days after your last dose. Urine tests are a common form of drug screening for Ohio employers and addiction treatment programs.

How Long Does Demerol Stay In Your Saliva?

Saliva tests can detect Demerol use for several days after your last dose. Saliva tests can be a noninvasive form of drug testing for Ohioans who are unable or unwilling to do a urine test.

How Long Does Demerol Stay In Your Blood?

Blood tests can detect meperidine and normeperidine for between 50 to 150 hours after your last dose.

You may go through blood tests if you are showing side effects of normeperidine, such as psychosis and seizures. These side effects can occur due to the long elimination time of normeperidine.

How Long Does Demerol Stay In Your Hair?

Meperidine and normeperidine can show up in hair follicles for up to 90 days after your last dose. Hair follicle tests have a long detection time compared to other forms of drug testing.

Half-Life Of Demerol

Half-life refers to the amount of time it takes for a drug to decrease to half its peak concentration. After about five half-life cycles, most drugs are almost completely eliminated from the bloodstream.

The half-life of meperidine is about 2 to 5 hours on average. After 10 to 50 hours, meperidine may be completely eliminated from your bloodstream.

Factors that can affect the period of time Demerol stays in your system may include your age, body weight, preexisting health conditions, frequency of use, and history of substance abuse.

Opioid Addiction Treatment

A positive test for Demerol use may be a sign that you are suffering from long-term drug use problems, such as physical dependence, Demerol addiction, and opioid withdrawal symptoms.

You may be referred to intensive Ohio addiction treatment options such as opiate detox, behavioral health services, and mental health care. To learn if our inpatient opioid addiction treatment services work for you or a loved one, please contact Ohio Recovery Center today.