Ref medication answer

atc88 Newcomer

It took some time to get an answer so I logged on to the NATCA Virtual Flight Surgeon and asked the Exact same question regarding Darvocet and here was the reply. Notice it is polar opposite from yours. I thank you in advance, i know you volunteer your time and I am appreciative of that. Since I now have TWO answers fron FAA certified flight Surgeons, whom do I believe?





Thanks for contacting Virtual Flight Surgeons.
In answer to your specific questions:
1) Is this medication screened for on random drug tests?

In routine, random DOT urine drug testing this is not one of the medications screened for.

2) If the medication is screened for in random tests, how long after taking this medication will it show in a test?

Again, not an issue but a single dose would likely be out of your system within 48 to 72 hours.

This service is provided to you as a free benefit to NATCA members in good standing.

G_Orsak Aviation Medical Examiner Pearland, TX

These are not really different answers, just more detail should shed some light to the answers you received to these general questions. Notice it says the DOT urine drug screen. While it may not be on the routine list for the DOT, it is possible to screen on a drug screen test. This depends on what test they order. There are several panels and depends on who is wanting the test and what they want to screen. In the past, we have screened for this drug. I like to err on the side of saftey and say that is something they can find. As far at the time it takes to get out of your body, it takes 5 half lifes of a drug to be out of your system (darvocet is about 12 hours). There are 3 different strengths of Darvocet, N50, N100 and A500; and so depending on the dose, your levels decrease 1/2 every 12 hours. If you take a 500 mg dose, after 5 half lives you still have about 16 mg of stuff in your system. I do not know what the threshold of the drug test is at picking up the medication in your system, but I bet it could pick up that dose. If you take a 50 mg dose, 5 half lives later you have less that 1.5 mg in your body. Again this is a simple explanation. A lot has to do with renal clearance, body fat compostion and bioavailabilty as to how much of the drug is really in your system. Without very specific dosing information and the specific screening test and thresholds of drug sensitivity. I cannot give a precise answer.

The real question is why would you be worried about darvocet use if you have a prescription for this? As long as it is reported it should be fine. I am not here to help you beat a drug test, but to give you useful and legal information. Hope this clarifies your question a little.