How Long Can Tramadol (Ultram) Be Detected In Your System?

Tramadol (brand name Ultram) can remain in your system for 24 hours or up to 90 days depending on the type of test. Several factors might affect the amount of time tramadol remains detectable, such as a person’s weight, metabolism, or the presence of other substances.

Tramadol has a detection window of 12 hours to 90 days. The type of test being used can greatly affect the amount of time tramadol remains detectable in your system.

Tramadol is commonly included when testing for drugs of abuse because it carries a high risk for dependency and addiction.

Learn about the detection windows for each type of drug test (urine, blood, saliva, and hair tests) below.

Tramadol (Ultram) Detection Windows

The detection window of drugs such as tramadol can vary greatly depending on the type of test that is ordered.

Negative results, as well as false-positive results, are possible if the amount of drug left detectable in the system falls above or below the detection cutoff.

Urine drug screens are a commonly requested test for a workplace setting, while hair testing is often considered the “gold standard” of drug tests.

How Long Does Tramadol (Ultram) Stay In Your Urine?

Tramadol is often detectable on a standard 5-panel urine drug test. The detection window for tramadol in a urine specimen is 1 to 4 days.

More detailed urine drug tests may utilize mass spectrometry equipment to further break down the metabolites present in a urine specimen.

How Long Does Tramadol (Ultram) Stay In Your Blood?

Blood testing is typically requested in a healthcare or clinic setting. Tramadol has a detection window of 12 to 24 hours in blood.

Because blood testing is a laboratory test, it is not commonly performed in a workplace or non-clinical setting.

Toxicology results can take up to a week to come back.

How Long Does Tramadol (Ultram) Stay In Your Saliva?

Tramadol can remain detectable for up to 2 days in saliva or oral fluid. However, this test is not commonly requested for opioid drug testing.

Liquid chromatography is a commonly used technique for testing oral fluid. This process is often expensive and can take an extended period of time for test results to be available.

How Long Does Tramadol (Ultram) Stay In Your Hair?

Hair testing can hold onto tramadol for the longest amount of time with a detection window of 4 to 6 months. Hair testing is considered very reliable but is often expensive.

Gas chromatography is the most commonly used method for testing hair for drugs of abuse. This method is also used when testing for amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and phencyclidine (PCP).

What Opioids Do Drug Tests Usually Test For?

Although opioids are a legally prescribed substance, they are often included on drug tests as opioids can carry a high risk for addiction and dependency.

Other commonly prescribed opioids that may be included on a drug test are:

  • codeine
  • hydrocodone
  • fentanyl
  • methadone
  • oxycodone
  • buprenorphine

Factors That Affect Tramadol (Ultram) Detection Times

The average half-life of tramadol is 6-8 hours. However, certain biological variables may impact the amount of time tramadol is detectable in your system by impacting the half-life of the drug.

These variables can include:

  • liver function
  • body mass
  • metabolism (how quickly your body can break down metabolites)
  • smoking status
  • the presence of other medications
  • the type of specimen provided (for example, hair or blood)

Repeated drug intake above the prescribed dose can increase the length of time it will remain in a person’s system.

What Is Tramadol Used For?

Tramadol is a prescription drug used for chronic pain management.

It is considered a synthetic opioid and is often chosen if over-the-counter analgesic medications will not work.

Ultram, one of the brand names for tramadol, is approved for prescription use by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Tramadol interacts with the central nervous system and changes the way our brains react to severe pain by working with its opioid receptors.

Who Would Request A Drug Test For Tramadol?

Healthcare professionals may request a blood drug test for tramadol and other opiates to determine the best options for prescribing new medications.

They may also request this if a person is unable to communicate with the clinicians.

Additionally, law enforcement may ask for a drug test that includes tramadol as well as illicit drugs to determine if drug use was a factor in an accident or crime.

Recover From Tramadol Addiction Today

Despite Tramadol’s legal status in the U.S., prolonged use can create a physical dependence on the drug.

If you or a loved one are overcoming addiction to tramadol, various types of addiction treatment options are available.

Spring Hill Recovery Center offers treatments for addiction to tramadol and other opioid medications.

There are different types of programs available to fit your needs, such as inpatient drug rehab or outpatient addiction recovery programs. Call us today to learn more.

  1. Harvard Health Publishing — Is tramadol a risky pain medication? https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/is-tramadol-a-risky-pain-medication-2019061416844
  2. U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) — TRAMADOL https://www.deadiversion.usdoj.gov/drug_chem_info/tramadol.pdf
  3. U.S. Food And Drug Administration (FDA) — Tramadol Information https://www.fda.gov/drugs/postmarket-drug-safety-information-patients-and-providers/tramadol-information
  4. U.S. National Library of Medicine: Medline Plus — Tramadol https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a695011.html

Written by Spring Hill Recovery Editorial Team

© 2024 Spring Hill Recovery | All Rights Reserved

* This page does not provide medical advice.

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