Half-Life in pharmacology

In pharmacology, half-life refers to the time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream to decrease by half. It indicates how quickly the body clears or eliminates the drug. A shorter half-life means the drug is processed faster, requiring more frequent dosing to maintain its effect. Conversely, a longer half-life means the drug stays in the system longer, allowing for less frequent dosing. Half-life helps determine dosing schedules, predicts how long a drug stays effective, and guides safe and effective medication use.