Hey guys and gals,

I'm currently taking some Vicodin for pain relief associated with an outpatient surgery. Anybody have guidance on where to find out how much time I need for it to get out of my system? Don't want to pop a positive test when I head back to work.

Dr. Warren Silberman, chief of airmen certification for the FAA's Aerospace Medical Certification office in Oke City, says you can fly after 24 hours.

Refer to page 8 in the following Medical Bulletin:

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This is not to say the drug will not appear on a drug screen. But if you have the prescription and waited the 24 hours, seems you'd be okay, depending on the underlying cause of the pain.

If you want totally clean urine, 24 hours is probably not enough.

Thanks Flutter!

Vicodin contains hydrocodone, a semi-synthetic opiate.

A standard 5 panel drug screen tests for opiates, but hydrocodone will not show up as an opiate.

The FAA (DOT) drug test is this type.

However, more places are now testing for hydro- and oxycodone due to prescription drug abuse.

If you have a valid prescription, then it is not reported as a positive test (the medical review officer will verify.)

As an aside, hydrocodone can generally be detected in urine 3-4 days after use.

Thanks for the info. It's greatly appreciated.