Half-life

Definition

Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug to reduce to half its initial value. It is crucial in determining dosing intervals and duration of therapy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The half-life of an antimicrobial drug affects how frequently it needs to be administered.
2. A longer half-life generally allows for less frequent dosing, improving patient compliance.
3. Drug half-life can be influenced by factors such as metabolism, excretion, and distribution within the body.
4. Understanding the half-life helps in avoiding both under-dosing and overdosing of antimicrobial drugs.
5. Half-life is critical in calculating the steady-state concentration of a drug during continuous use.

Review Questions

• Why is understanding the half-life of an antimicrobial drug important for determining dosing intervals?
• How does a long half-life benefit patient compliance?
• What factors can influence the half-life of an antimicrobial drug?

Related terms

Pharmacokinetics:

The study of how drugs move through the body including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Steady-State Concentration: The condition where the overall intake of a drug is fairly in dynamic equilibrium with its elimination.

Dosing Interval: The time between consecutive doses of a medication, influenced by its half-life.