why do we have to take medicines at the same intervals everyday and not just take them for example 2 times whenever we like? Is there a specific advantage to it being spaced out over a longer period of time or is it just to keep track of what I’m taking?

Question

why do we have to take medicines at the same intervals everyday and not just take them for example 2 times whenever we like? Is there a specific advantage to it being spaced out over a longer period of time or is it just to keep track of what I’m taking?

In: Biology

Answer 1

It depends on the medication. For example, most modern anti-depressants doesn’t need to be taken at the same time every day (although it is recommended so you keep track), because they work over longer periods and the half-life is long. Mode stabilizers, on the other hand, requires a much stricter schedule because you need to keep the level pretty constant or you’ll loose the effect.