If you want to know how long does Gabapentin stay in your system, then you’ll want to read this article. During the next five minutes, you’ll discover everything you need to know about Gabapentin, how its effects impact the different types of drug tests being administrated today, certain factors that also play a part in the drug testing of Gabapentin, and whether or not it shows up on a drug test.
Gabapentin also known as Neurontin can affect individuals differently based on certain factors such as weight, genetics, age, and the prescribed dosage. Gabapentin has a half-life of 5-7 hours, and it takes five half-lives to fully leave the body. Based on scientific studies, Gabapentin generally stays in the human system for about 35 hours while individuals living with kidney disease can take up to 52 hours.
Gabapentin is categorized as an antiepileptic or anticonvulsant drug, and it requires a written prescription from a licensed doctor. Its effects have many medicinal benefits for those suffering from nerve pain and seizures, but it also comes with illicitness for those who like its calming effects. This could help to explain why so many people today are currently researching the duration of Gabapentin and the drug tests being used to detect it.
How Long Does Gabapentin Stay in Your Body?
Gabapentin can stay in your body for approximately two days after stopping, which is also the average time it’s detectable by standard lab tests. While urine tests for Gabapentin remain the most popular, saliva, blood, and hair tests are becoming more common.
Most companies and entities administrating drug tests often use a urinalysis or saliva test due to their affordability as blood and hair tests tend to be rather expensive. However, if a false-positive saliva or urine test is argued between parties, most companies are willing to foot the bill for the more expensive blood and hair tests.
For those who are wondering how long Gabapentin stays in your system, it’s important to understand the following four drug tests:
1. Hair
A hair test also known as a hair follicle drug test has the ability to detect Gabapentin up to 90 days. It works by collecting the drug’s chemicals from your bloodstream and using them as new hair cells to grow hair. While this test has the longest window of time, it falls short in some cases where determining recent use may not be the most accurate test for Gabapentin.
Hair follicle testing can cost companies between $100 – $125 per sample for professional laboratory testing. Although this may not be the most economical approach, many business deploy this test due to its extended time frame to detect drugs.
On the other hand, since Gabapentin isn’t a controlled substance, it does not show up on a hair follicle test unless it has been specifically tested for. Most standardized hair follicle tests are designed to detect drugs such as stimulants, opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and TCH.
2. Urine
Urinalysis testing typically uses a 5 or 10-panel test to detect a number of drugs such as cocaine, LSD, THC, herion, and many more, including Gabapentin. The technical name for a urinalysis is called an immunoassay test. This is a biological test that works by measuring the presence of molecules in a solution via an antigen or antibody.
Most people recognize this test because it is the most common and widely used test in today’s modern society. The average cost for lab urine testing is about $50 -$75 while instant drug cups run around $5 each, making them very cost effective.
A urine test can detect the presence of Gabapentin for up to three days, but only if the lab is asked to test for it. Although some samples are sent to laboratories for analysis, many are designed with technology that displays instant results for the testing administrator. These types of urine test are very popular among probation officers and drug court programs.
3. Blood
Blood testing is the most invasive type of drug test. It is often deployed when urine or other types of matrices are not ideal. Since the ideal screening time for a blood test is within 24 hours of use, it can be used when someone is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol or drugs. With the average blood drug test costing over $150, most administrators opt for the less expensive urine or saliva test.
Blood drug tests can detect the use of alcohol and drugs typically within minutes of consumption and are often used by law enforcement for those who refuse a breathalyzer test. Because drugs like Gabapentin rapidly metabolize in your body, this type of test is only accurate during the first 24 hours of use.
However, depending on the amount of Gabepentin in your system, this window can last a little while longer. Blood drug tests are generality conducted by special request and are not commonly used in the workplace.
4. Saliva
Saliva drug testing involves the use of a medical swab to collect saliva inside of your mouth. Also known as Salivaomics, a diagnostic drug testing technique that utilizes laboratory analysis to detect the presence of drugs in your saliva. This type of drug test has become very popular due to its affordability and less invasive nature.
Much like a urine test, a saliva sample sent to a laboratory can cost between $50 to $75 while instant saliva tests can be bought for less than $5 each, making them a cost effective solution for companies with a large workforce that random drug test.
Saliva drug tests today are used more frequently than the traditional urine test because they’re easier to administer, collected in full view of both the individual and administrator, and nearly impossible to tamper with. Many police officers are equipped with saliva drug testing kits that can be used to determine if someone is under the influence of drugs such as cannabis, heroin, cocaine, and other illicit substances.
A saliva drug test can detect the presence of drugs like Gabapentin for up to three days after use with 99 percent accuracy, but only if Gabapentin is being tested for.
What Factors Determine How Long Gabapentin Will Stay in Your System?
There are several factors that can determine how long Gabapentin stays in your system. Since each individuals body weight and chemistry varies from person to person, the amount of time Gabapentin stays in your system can also vary. For those who abuse Gabapentin or have kidney disease, the standard 2-3 days of time can be increased to 4-5 days.
While Gabapentin typically stays in most people’s system for about 35 hours, other factors that could impact metabolism include the following, but are not limited to:
Frequency of use: Gabapentin is known to stay in your system longer the more you use it; therefore, stopping the consumption of Gabapentin 4-5 days before a drug test that’s specifically screening for it is a good idea.
Dosage amount: The amount of Gabapentin that you take can effect the time it stays in your system. Gabapentin when taken in large dosages has a tendency to accumulate in your body; therefore, prolonging the time it takes to leave your system.
Age: Age is always a factor when it comes to metabolizing for elderly individuals because their bodies are known to naturally decline with age. Aging people are also more prone to kidney failure, which can increase the time it takes the body to rid itself of toxins and drugs such as Gabapentin.
Health: A person’s health can impact the half-life cycle of Gabapentin. Those living with healthy kidney functions can typically rids their bodies of Gabapentin in less than three days; however, someone living with kidney disease or fialure may need 28 days before it fully leaves their system.
Will Gabapentin Show up on a Drug Test?
Since Gabapentin is not a controlled substance, it will not show up on a drug test unless the substance is being specifically screened for. While most employers utilize either a 5 or 10-panel drug test, they are not designed to detect the presence of Gabapentin. Most Gabapentin drug tests are administered under the suspicion of abuse and are not part of the standardized drug tests given today.
