Drug titration is the process of adjusting the dose of a medication for the maximum benefit without adverse effects.[1]
When a drug has a narrow therapeutic index, titration is especially important, because the range between the dose at which a drug is effective and the dose at which side effects occur is small.[2] Some examples of the types of drugs commonly requiring titration include insulin, anticonvulsants, blood thinners, anti-depressants, and sedatives.[3][4][5]
Titrating off of a medication instead of stopping abruptly is recommended in some situations. Glucocorticoids should be tapered after extended use to avoid adrenal insufficiency.[6]
Drug titration is also used in phase I of clinical trials. The experimental drug is given in increasing dosages until side effects become intolerable.[7] A clinical trial in which a suitable dose is found is called a dose-ranging study.
See also
- Therapeutic drug monitoring
- Pituri – chewed as a stimulant (or, after extended use, a depressant) by Aboriginal Australians
References
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