Monoterapia

Monoterapia, or monotherapy, is a medical approach in which a single drug or treatment modality is used to treat a condition. In pharmacology, it refers to treatment with one active substance, in contrast to polytherapy or combination therapy. It can involve medications, or non-pharmacological single modalities such as radiotherapy alone or psychotherapy alone. The choice is guided by disease characteristics, patient factors, and risk–benefit considerations, including tolerability, adherence, and cost.

Indications and applicability: Monotherapy is often used as initial therapy for many chronic diseases when a single agent provides adequate control. It is also chosen when there are potential drug–drug interactions, contraindications, or a need for a simple, easy-to-manage regimen. In some cancers and infections, monotherapy can be appropriate in early-stage disease or when resistance is unlikely.

Advantages and limitations: Benefits include simplicity, lower risk of adverse interactions, improved adherence, and reduced cost. Limitations include the possibility of insufficient efficacy in complex diseases and the risk of resistance with antimicrobial agents or certain cancer therapies, as well as reduced potential for synergistic effects.

Examples: An antihypertensive drug used as sole therapy, antibiotics for straightforward infections, antidepressant monotherapy for mild to moderate depressive episodes, or single-agent chemotherapy in selected cancers.

Monitoring and evolution: Efficacy and safety are regularly evaluated, and therapy may be escalated or switched to combination therapy if control is inadequate or resistance emerges.