Longer half-life is typically characterized by which of the following?

Longer half-life is typically characterized by which of the following?

• A. Higher rate of tolerance
• B. More frequent dosing
• C. Slower to wear off
• D. Faster to wear off

Answer: (C)

Half-life is the time required for the drug’s plasma concentration to fall to half of its value. When the half-life is longer, the drug is cleared more slowly, so it remains in the body and continues to exert effects for a longer period. That means it is slower to wear off. The other ideas don’t fit this concept: tolerance isn’t dictated by how long the drug lasts in the body, and a longer half-life generally allows less frequent dosing rather than more frequent dosing, while speeding wear-off would be expected with a shorter half-life.

Half-life is the time required for the drug’s plasma concentration to fall to half of its value. When the half-life is longer, the drug is cleared more slowly, so it remains in the body and continues to exert effects for a longer period. That means it is slower to wear off. The other ideas don’t fit this concept: tolerance isn’t dictated by how long the drug lasts in the body, and a longer half-life generally allows less frequent dosing rather than more frequent dosing, while speeding wear-off would be expected with a shorter half-life.