Tag: Drug accumulation

While metformin is a highly effective and widely used medication for type 2 diabetes, the risk of metformin-associated lactic acidosis (MALA) is a rare but serious adverse event, with an incidence of about 5 cases per 100,000 in one analysis. This condition is primarily caused by a dual mechanism involving increased lactate production and reduced lactate clearance, especially when metformin accumulates in the body.

While buspirone works gradually to treat anxiety, it has a remarkably short half-life of just 2 to 3 hours, meaning it does not build up in the body over time in the way many other medications do. Instead, regular dosing maintains a consistent, or 'steady-state,' level in the system, which is key to its therapeutic effects.

With a terminal plasma half-life of 5-8 hours, it's a common question: **Does finasteride build up in your body?** While steady-state concentrations are reached within days, the drug's effect on DHT suppression lasts significantly longer. This is due to a distinction between how long the drug stays in your bloodstream and how long its biological effects persist.

According to the FDA, Topamax (topiramate) has a mean plasma elimination half-life of approximately 21 hours in adults. Yes, Topamax builds up in your system during the initial phase of treatment until it reaches a stable, therapeutic concentration, a process known as reaching a steady state.