Singletherapy

Singletherapy, more commonly called monotherapy, refers to treating a condition with a single therapeutic modality rather than a combination of approaches. The term appears in pharmacology, psychiatry, and oncology; in many professional contexts, monotherapy is the preferred wording. The choice between singletherapy and multimodal treatment depends on disease severity, patient factors, and the balance of benefits and risks supported by evidence.

In pharmacology and primary care, monotherapy means using one drug or agent as the initial treatment. It is often chosen for mild or well-controlled conditions or when patient tolerance for multiple drugs is limited. If treatment goals are not met, clinicians may add another agent, transitioning to combination therapy.

In psychiatry and psychotherapy, monotherapy may involve a single medication or a single psychotherapeutic approach. Combination therapies—adding another medication or another therapeutic modality—are common when response is incomplete or relapse risk is high.

In oncology, monotherapy uses a single chemotherapy or targeted agent. Many cancers require multi-agent regimens for maximum efficacy, but single-agent therapy remains appropriate when toxicity risk is a concern or there is demonstrated sensitivity to one drug.

Advantages of singletherapy include simpler regimens, lower cost, and fewer drug interactions, which can improve adherence and safety. Limitations include potentially lower efficacy for complex or resistant conditions and a greater likelihood of treatment failure without subsequent escalation.

See also monotherapy, polytherapy, combination therapy, and multimodal therapy.