Kertaannokset

Kertaannokset are doses administered in a single occurrence rather than as part of a repeated treatment schedule. They are used when a rapid therapeutic effect is needed, when only one dose is practical, or in contexts such as preoperative prophylaxis or certain diagnostic procedures.

A kertaannos is designed to achieve an adequate plasma concentration quickly, and its effectiveness depends on factors such as the drug’s pharmacokinetics (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion), the route of administration, and the formulation. The choice of dose and route reflects the drug’s half-life, therapeutic index, patient characteristics (age, weight, kidney and liver function), and potential drug interactions.

In practice, a single-dose regimen can function as a loading dose to reach target concentrations rapidly, sometimes followed by maintenance dosing if needed. The planning of a kertaannos takes into account the drug’s duration of action, risk of toxicity, and the likelihood of achieving the desired clinical effect without under- or overdosing.

Safety and monitoring are important with single-dose regimens, particularly for drugs with narrow therapeutic windows or in populations with altered clearance. Standardized single-dose guidelines are common in perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, certain imaging or diagnostic procedures requiring contrast administration, and other clinical scenarios where one administration suffices.

See also: dosing regimens, loading dose, maintenance dose.