Üksikannust

Üksikannust, meaning single-dose, is a dosing strategy in pharmacology and medicine where a drug or therapy is administered in a single dose rather than as a series of doses over time. The term emphasizes exposure to one amount of substance and is used in various clinical contexts to achieve a therapeutic effect with a simplified regimen.

The approach is applied in diverse areas. In clinical practice it can refer to vaccines given as a single dose, certain antibiotics prescribed for single-dose regimens, or analgesics and anesthetics prepared for one-time use before a procedure. It is also used in diagnostic procedures where a contrast agent is administered in one shot.

Success with yksikannust depends on pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, including how quickly the substance acts, how long the effect lasts, and how it is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted. Suitability is determined by the disease or condition, the target or pathogen, and patient-specific factors such as age, kidney or liver function, and concurrent medications. In some settings a single dose is followed by booster doses or additional treatments based on response and monitoring.

Benefits of single-dose regimens include simplified treatment, improved patient adherence, and rapid onset of effect. Limitations include the potential for under- or overexposure if the dose is not well matched to the patient, variable individual responses, and less flexibility to adjust therapy compared with multi-dose regimens.