polytherapy [Neurosurgery Wiki]

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Polytherapy refers to the use of multiple medications or treatments simultaneously to manage a single disease or condition. It is the opposite of monotherapy, which involves just one treatment.

Polytherapy is often used when:

A single drug isn't effective enough.
Multiple aspects of a disease need to be targeted.
There is a need to enhance the therapeutic effect.
Examples of Polytherapy:
Epilepsy: Combining anti-seizure medications when seizures are not controlled by one drug.
Hypertension: Using different classes of drugs (e.g., ACE inhibitors + diuretics) for better blood pressure control.
Cancer: Combining chemotherapy, radiation, and targeted therapy to increase effectiveness.
Mental Health: Treating depression with a combination of antidepressants and mood stabilizers or antipsychotics.
Advantages:
Improved symptom control or disease management.
Synergistic effects between medications.
Risks:
Higher chance of side effects.
Increased risk of drug interactions.
More complex medication regimens for the patient.