Citicoline (CDP-Choline) Half-Life & Clearance

Understand how long Citicoline (CDP-Choline) stays in your bloodstream, its metabolic pathways, and how to time your doses optimally.

Standard Pharmacokinetics

Chart represents a single standard dose processed by a normal metabolizer over 24 hours.

Key Metrics

60 hrs

Average Half-Life

+4 hrs

Time to Peak (Tmax)

Minimal effect; can be taken with or without food

Food interaction

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Metabolism & Excretion

Pathway

Rapidly metabolized to choline and cytidine in intestinal wall and liver; cytidine converts to uridine

Elimination

CO2 (respiration), urine, feces

Important Nuances

Plasma choline half-life is approximately 4 hours; total CDP-choline metabolite half-life is much longer (56–72 hours). Once-daily dosing is sufficient.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I take citicoline?

Due to its long metabolite half-life, once daily is sufficient for citicoline. 250–500mg per day is the standard research dose. There is no meaningful benefit to splitting the dose.

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