1. What is Drug Clearance Time?

Drug clearance time refers to the estimated time required for a substance to be eliminated from the body to undetectable levels. This varies based on the drug's half-life, dose, and individual metabolic factors.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the half-life principle:

Where:

• Half-Life — Time for drug concentration to reduce by half
• 5 — Number of half-lives for ~97% elimination

Explanation: The calculator adjusts for drug-specific characteristics and provides an estimate of when the drug might be undetectable in standard tests.

3. Importance of Clearance Time

Details: Understanding drug clearance helps in planning medical procedures, workplace testing, and assessing when a substance will no longer have pharmacological effects.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Select the drug type, enter the dose in mg and half-life in hours. Note that individual metabolism, body fat, hydration, and other factors can affect actual clearance times.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why multiply by 5 half-lives?
A: After 5 half-lives, approximately 97% of the drug is eliminated, which is typically below detection thresholds.

Q2: How accurate are these estimates?
A: They provide general guidance but individual results vary based on metabolism, frequency of use, body composition, and other factors.

Q3: What affects drug half-life?
A: Liver/kidney function, age, body fat percentage, hydration, and genetic factors all influence drug metabolism.

Q4: Why do fat-soluble drugs take longer?
A: They accumulate in fat tissues and are released slowly back into circulation, prolonging detection times.

Q5: Can this predict drug test results?
A: It provides an estimate, but actual test results depend on the specific test's cutoff levels and detection methods.