Farmacoterapia

Farmacoterapia, or pharmacotherapy, is the medical use of medications to prevent, diagnose, treat, or palliate disease and symptoms. It integrates principles from pharmacology with clinical decision making to achieve therapeutic goals while minimizing harm. The practice involves choosing appropriate agents, determining effective and safe doses, routes of administration, duration of treatment, and plans for monitoring outcomes and adverse effects.

Key elements include assessment of the patient and diagnosis, selection of evidence-based regimens according to guidelines, and consideration of individual factors such as age, pregnancy, organ function, comorbidities, and concomitant therapies. Pharmacotherapy requires attention to pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, potential drug interactions, contraindications, and the possibility of adverse drug reactions. Monitoring aims to evaluate efficacy, detect safety problems early, and adjust therapy as needed.

Pharmacotherapy is applied in many settings, from acute care to chronic disease management and preventive medicine. It encompasses single-drug regimens and combination therapies, including antibiotic stewardship, cancer chemotherapy, cardiovascular disease management, mental health treatment, and palliative care. Challenges include polypharmacy, adherence, and variability in patient responses. Pharmacovigilance and regulatory oversight support safety, while patient education and shared decision-making improve adherence and outcomes.

The field is continually evolving with advances in pharmacogenomics, personalized medicine, and real-world evidence, which refine drug selection and dosing to individual patients.