Answer to your Question

Answered By: Addiction Specialist

Answer: The half life of hydrocodone, the narcotic in Vicodin, is about 4 hours. On average, it takes about 4-5 half lives for a drug to be cleared from one's system. This means, on average, the hydrocodone should be cleared within 16 to 20 hours after the last dose. It may be detectable for a shorter or longer period of time depending on your child's metabolism, how much of the drug he or she has been using in general, other medications they may be taking, and the sensitivity of the test you use.

Answered on: May 20, 2009