Half life: Difference between revisions
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Created page with "''' Elimination half-life''', written as '''t<sub>1/2</sub>''', is the time needed for the concentration of a substance (usually a drug, metabolite *T..." |
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''' Elimination half-life''', written as '''t<sub>1/2</sub>''', is the time needed for the concentration of a substance (usually a drug, [[Metabolite|metabolite]] | ''' Elimination half-life''', written as '''t<sub>1/2</sub>''', is the time needed for the concentration of a substance (usually a drug, [[Metabolite|metabolite]] or [[Hormone|hormone]]) to half in the blood plasma. | ||
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*The t<sub>1/2</sub> or rate of decay (dC/dt) proportional to [[Concentration|concentration is]] exponential so when trying to measure half-life graphs are usually plotted on a semi-logarithmic scale in order to get a straight line which is easier to manipulate. | |||
*The t<sub>1/2</sub> or rate of decay (dC/dt) proportional to [[Concentration|concentration ]] | *Half-life is important in [[Pharmacokinetics|pharmacokinetics and]] depends on how quickly the substance is [[Drug elimination|eliminated]] ie. the clearance as well as on [[Volume distribution|volume distribution]]. | ||
*Half-life is important in [[ | |||
*Half-life is important when determining how frequently drugs should be administered. | *Half-life is important when determining how frequently drugs should be administered. | ||
Revision as of 23:48, 13 November 2011
Elimination half-life, written as t1/2, is the time needed for the concentration of a substance (usually a drug, metabolite or hormone) to half in the blood plasma.
- The t1/2 or rate of decay (dC/dt) proportional to concentration is exponential so when trying to measure half-life graphs are usually plotted on a semi-logarithmic scale in order to get a straight line which is easier to manipulate.
- Half-life is important in pharmacokinetics and depends on how quickly the substance is eliminated ie. the clearance as well as on volume distribution.
- Half-life is important when determining how frequently drugs should be administered.