Misoprostol itself is rapidly metabolized and typically no longer detectable in the body after about 6 hours. The active metabolite, misoprostol acid, has a short half-life of 20-40 minutes, meaning it loses half of its activity shortly after administration. Most of the drug clears the system within a few hours. However, the effects of misoprostol such as uterine cramping and vaginal bleeding usually start within 2 to 6 hours after taking it and can last much longer—bleeding can be the heaviest 2-5 hours after taking misoprostol and usually slows within 24 hours, but light bleeding might continue for 4 to 8 weeks as the body recovers and the uterus empties fully. Other side effects like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and cramping typically last from a few hours up to about 24 hours, sometimes a bit longer. In summary, misoprostol is cleared from the body within hours, but its physiological effects, including bleeding and cramping, may persist for days to weeks following use.