Half-life profile
1,4-Butanediol half-life calculator
Educational first-order elimination curve using an approximate half-life estimate. This is not medical advice and does not predict impairment or laboratory outcomes.
Category: depressant · Updated: 2026-01-18
Pharmacokinetics at a glance
| Summary | Educational half-life profile for 1,4-Butanediol (depressant). Uses a mean half-life of 0.9 hours for a simplified curve. |
|---|---|
| Mean half-life | 0.9 hours |
Summary: Educational half-life profile for 1,4-Butanediol (depressant). Uses a mean half-life of 0.9 hours for a simplified curve.
Half-life note: Mean terminal half-life reported in published pharmacokinetic studies. Values vary by population, dose, route, and analytic method.
Notes
Overview
1,4-Butanediol is listed here as depressant. Depressants are substances that reduce central nervous system activity. Half-life estimates can vary widely and may not track subjective effects.
This page provides an educational visualization of exponential decay based on a single half-life estimate. It is not medical advice.
Half-life used on this page
HalfLifeDB uses a mean half-life of 0.9 hours to generate the curve below. The curve shows a relative amount remaining in a simplified model.
Half-life note: Mean terminal half-life reported in published pharmacokinetic studies. Values vary by population, dose, route, and analytic method.
What the curve represents
The calculator assumes a one-compartment, first-order elimination model after a single starting amount. In that model, the remaining amount halves every half-life interval. The curve is best used to understand the shape of exponential decline.
Why published half-life values differ
Even when a study reports a single half-life number, values can differ across studies and people. Common drivers include:
- Route and formulation: immediate vs extended release, oral vs inhaled vs injected, and co-administered ingredients.
- Study design: sampling window, analytic sensitivity, and how the terminal phase is defined.
- Individual biology: age, genetics, body composition, and liver and kidney function.
- Interactions: other medications and substances can inhibit or induce metabolism.
How to use this page
- Use the calculator to visualize how quickly a half-life process decays over time.
- Use the source links to see the context for the half-life estimate.
- Treat this curve as a conceptual model, not a personal prediction.
What this page does not do
- It does not provide dosing guidance or treatment advice.
- It does not estimate impairment or functional safety.
- It does not predict laboratory outcomes.
If you have questions about medication use or health decisions, consult a licensed clinician. In an emergency, contact local emergency services.
Read the full medical disclaimer and editorial policy.