Tag: Pill onset time

While the general guideline is that most medications need about 30 minutes to take effect, this timeframe is not universal [1.2.1]. How long does it usually take for a pill to kick in? The answer depends on a complex interplay of the drug's properties and your body's unique physiology.

In the United States, nearly half of all people have used at least one prescription drug in the past 30 days [1.9.1]. A common question among them is, **how long does it take for a small pill to kick in?** The answer typically ranges from 20 minutes to over an hour [1.2.1].