dosereduction
Dosereduction refers to the intentional lowering of the amount of a drug given to a patient. It is used to tailor therapy to individual factors, minimize adverse effects, improve tolerability, and manage potential drug interactions while aiming to preserve therapeutic benefit. Dose reduction can be temporary or permanent and may occur during initial titration or as an ongoing adjustment after a period of stable dosing. It is distinct from tapering, which is the gradual reduction required to discontinue a medication after long-term use.
Triggers for dose reduction include reduced organ function (notably renal or hepatic impairment), advanced age, low
Implementation typically follows a start-low, go-slow approach, with stepwise decreases (for example, 25% reductions) and close
Considerations and risks include potential underdosing and treatment failure, withdrawal or rebound symptoms for certain medications,
Applications span across medical domains, including antidepressants and other psychotropics, cardiovascular agents, chemotherapy, anticoagulants, and immunosuppressants,