What effect does a short half-life have on medication scheduling?

A short half-life indicates that a medication is eliminated from the body more quickly, meaning that its effects do not last very long. As a result, for a drug with a short half-life to maintain therapeutic levels in the bloodstream and ensure its intended effects, it typically needs to be administered more frequently. This frequent dosing helps to sustain the drug’s efficacy and prevent it from falling below the minimum effective concentration.

In terms of medication scheduling, this means that individuals may need to take the medication several times a day, rather than having the flexibility of less frequent dosing or relying on it to provide a consistent level of medication over an extended period.