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What is the term for the time it takes a medication in the body to decrease in amount by half?

User Zuallauz
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Final answer:

The term for the time it takes a medication in the body to decrease in amount by half is called the half-life. The half-life of a medication is the period of time it takes for the concentration of the medication to decrease to one-half its initial value.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term for the time it takes a medication in the body to decrease in amount by half is called the half-life. The half-life of a medication is the period of time it takes for the concentration of the medication to decrease to one-half its initial value.

For example, let's say a medication has a half-life of 4 hours. After 4 hours, the concentration of the medication in the body will be reduced to half of its initial concentration. After another 4 hours (a total of 8 hours), the concentration will be reduced to one-quarter of its initial concentration.

The concept of half-life is used in pharmacology and medicine to determine the appropriate dosing intervals for medications.

User MrSmile
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