Dóziscsökkentés

Dóziscsökkentés is a Hungarian term that translates to "dose reduction" or "dosage reduction" in English. It refers to the practice of lowering the amount of a substance, particularly a medication, that is administered to a patient. This reduction can be applied to the strength of a pill, the volume of a liquid, or the frequency of administration.

The primary goal of dose reduction is often to minimize or manage side effects. Many medications, while beneficial, can cause adverse reactions. By decreasing the dose, these unwanted effects can be lessened or eliminated, improving patient comfort and adherence to treatment. Dose reduction may also be employed when a patient's condition improves, indicating that a lower maintenance dose is sufficient to control symptoms or disease progression.

Furthermore, dose reduction can be a strategy to avoid toxicity, especially in cases where the initial prescribed dose might be close to a potentially harmful level, or when a patient's metabolism or excretion of the drug has changed, for instance, due to age or organ dysfunction. It is also a common practice in withdrawal protocols for addictive substances, where the dose is gradually decreased over time to prevent severe withdrawal symptoms. The decision to reduce a dose is typically made by a qualified healthcare professional based on a thorough assessment of the patient's individual needs, response to treatment, and potential risks.