My husband was recently involved in a car accident and his doctor prescribed Oxycontin 40mg, for his pain. Now he is ready to start a new job, and they are requiring a drug screen. How long will the Oxycontin stay in his system? Will this prevent him from passing the test?

Q. My husband was recently involved in a car accident and his doctor prescribed Oxycontin 40mg, for his pain. Now he is ready to start a new job, and they are requiring a drug screen. How long will the Oxycontin stay in his system? Will this prevent him from passing the test?

A. Oxycontin is a narcotic related to morphine. In the drug screen, the doctors will know that a narcotic is in the system, and this might affect your husband¹s potential employment, so your concerns are justified. There are two ways to address this problem. First, your husband could tell the employer that he is on a prescription narcotic. A note from the doctor would help. He could then see what the employer¹s policy is. Second, your husband could stop taking the medication. The half-life of oxycontin (the time it takes 1/2 of the medication to leave the body) is about 5 hours. So after 2 or 3 days, it should be out of his system. It is important to recognize, however, that everyone is different, so that it may require a bit more time (or less time) in your husband.