A patient is put on a medication at 20mg per day the first week, 10???? ?per day the second week, and 5???? ?per day the third week. The medication is then discontinued.
This is an example of a drug
zenith
acclimation
taper
trough
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is taper.
Explanation:
A taper refers to a gradual decrease in the dose of a medication over time. This method is used to allow the body to adjust to lower levels of the drug, often to prevent withdrawal symptoms or the return of the condition being treated. Tapering is commonly employed with medications that can cause dependence, such as certain pain relievers, antidepressants, or steroids, or when the body needs time to adjust after a prolonged course of treatment.
In the case described, the patient is starting with a dose of 20 mg per day in the first week, then decreasing to 10 mg in the second week, and 5 mg in the third week before discontinuation. This is a classic example of a tapering regimen, where the dose is slowly reduced to allow the body to adjust and avoid potential withdrawal effects or complications that could arise from suddenly stopping the medication. This tapering process can help reduce the risk of adverse effects that might occur if the medication is stopped abruptly, particularly if the drug was being used for a chronic condition or if the body had become accustomed to it.
Now, let’s briefly look at the other terms for context:
- Zenith: This refers to the highest point or peak of something, like the peak level of a drug in the bloodstream after administration, but it is not related to tapering.
- Acclimation: This refers to the process of adjusting to a new environment or condition, often used when the body adapts to external changes (e.g., temperature or altitude), but it doesn’t apply to the gradual reduction of medication doses.
- Trough: This is the lowest point of a drug’s concentration in the bloodstream, usually before the next dose, and is not related to the gradual reduction of medication.
In summary, the medication regimen described is an example of tapering, designed to gradually decrease the dose to minimize risks associated with abrupt discontinuation.