How Long Does Codeine Stay in Urine?
Evidence-based answer reviewed against SAMHSA cutoffs and FDA assay documentation · Updated August 2026
Quick answer: Most people clear Codeine from urine within 1–3 days (codeine) of last use — heavy or daily use stretches that window substantially. Covered by the standard opiate strip: 2,000 ng/mL morphine/codeine.
Codeine detection windows by test type
Each specimen tells a different story because each samples different biology:
| Test type | Typical Codeine detection window |
|---|---|
| Urine | any: 1–3 days (codeine) |
| Saliva (Mouth Swab) | any: 1–2 days |
| Hair Follicles | up to 90 days |
| Blood | any: ~12–24 hours |
('Urine remains the employment default because it balances cost, window-length and legal defensibility. Metabolite CONCENTRATIONS (not presence/absence) decide results against cutoff tables, which is why hydration status moves numbers and why validity checks (creatinine, specific gravity) police dilution attempts.',)
Why detection works this way
Lean's codeine lands squarely on the classic opiate panel — this is one street drug standard testing catches without any expansion.
Promethazine itself isn't screened, but it can flag old-generation amphetamine screens as a false positive; confirmation sorts it out.
Prescription codeine (codeine-acetaminophen tablets, cough syrup) verifies via MRO like any opioid script.
Factors that stretch or shrink your window
- Frequency & dose — chronic use saturates stores; single use clears fastest.
- Body composition — some metabolites persist longer with higher body-fat percentages.
- Metabolism & hydration — concentration shifts with fluid intake; elimination speed does not.
- Potency & route — concentrates and edibles deliver more analyte than light use.
Testing cutoffs in plain language
Covered by the standard opiate strip: 2,000 ng/mL morphine/codeine. A specimen under the initial cutoff reports negative without further work; a screen above cutoff gets confirmed by mass spectrometry before anyone sees a positive.
Planning ahead? Our at-home drug test guide covers retail kits that mirror lab screens.
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Does Promethazine Show up on a Drug Test?
Yes — Codeine appears on standard drug panels. Full guide →
Can Codeine Cause a False Positive Drug Test?
Can Codeine trigger a false positive? Cross-reactivity evidence, confirmation testing, and how to clear your name with the MRO. Full guide →
How Long Does Codeine Show up in a Drug Test?
How long Codeine stays detectable in your system (all test types) — urine, hair, saliva & blood windows explained with cutoffs. Full guide →
How Long Does Codeine Stay in Urine Drug Test?
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Do prescriptions count against me?
No — verified prescriptions report as negative through the Medical Review Officer. Declare medications at collection and answer the follow-up call.
Related guides
Sources & further reading
- SAMHSA — Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing Programs (cutoffs, MRO process)
- DOT — 49 CFR Part 40 procedures for transportation workplace testing
- Brahm NC et al., Mayo Clinic Proceedings 2008;83(1):66–76 — false-positive cross-reactivity reference
- FDA — drug-of-abuse test device labeling (detection window conventions)