Therapeutic dosage

Definition

Therapeutic dosage is the quantity of a drug required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect without causing significant side effects. It is determined through clinical trials and testing for efficacy and safety.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Therapeutic dosage varies between individuals based on factors like age, weight, and metabolic rate.
2. Finding the therapeutic dosage is crucial to avoid underdosing, which may lead to ineffective treatment, or overdosing, which can cause toxicity.
3. In microbiology, determining the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) helps in establishing the correct therapeutic dosage of antimicrobial drugs.
4. The therapeutic index (TI) is a ratio that compares the toxic dose to the therapeutic dose; a higher TI indicates a safer drug.
5. Adjustments in therapeutic dosages are necessary for patients with renal or hepatic impairments as these conditions affect drug metabolism and excretion.

Review Questions

Related terms

Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC):

The lowest concentration of an antimicrobial that prevents visible growth of a microorganism.

Therapeutic Index (TI): A ratio that measures the safety margin of a drug by comparing its toxic dose to its therapeutic dose.

Toxic Dose: The amount of a substance that causes adverse effects or toxicity in an organism.