Antibiotics typically stay in your system anywhere from a few hours to several days after you stop taking them. The exact duration depends on the specific antibiotic, its dosage, your age, metabolism, and kidney or liver function

. For example:

• Amoxicillin has a half-life of about 1-2 hours and is mostly eliminated within 8 to 12 hours after the last dose

• Azithromycin has a much longer half-life of about 68 hours and can remain in your system for approximately 15.5 days after the last dose

• Other antibiotics like penicillin or ciprofloxacin usually stay in the body for 12 to 24 hours after the last dose

Because antibiotics are cleared at different rates depending on their chemical properties and how your body processes them, it is important to complete the full prescribed course even if you start feeling better early. Stopping antibiotics prematurely can allow bacteria to survive and develop resistance

. In summary, antibiotics can remain in your system from several hours (like amoxicillin) up to two weeks (like azithromycin), influenced by the type of antibiotic and individual factors such as age, health, and organ function