5 Types Of Doses In Pharmacology
Taking into account the appropriate doses of each drug is essential for the drugs to have the effect we are looking for. In some cases, overdoing it can lead us to undermine our own well-being.
Doctors are very knowledgeable about the types of doses in pharmacology that best suit each patient and their needs. For this reason, we need your instructions before we take many types of medications.
Every time we try to self-medicate we are making a big mistake. By doing so, it is common that we end up with an inadequate dose and that the initial problem is not solved, but worsens and leads us to feel worse.
Next we will discover up to 6 types of doses in pharmacology that we need to know and keep in mind. Not only to know its meaning, but to be aware of the importance of going to a professional who indicates the appropriate dose of the prescribed medication.
Essential pharmacology dose types
We are going to discuss each of the 6 dose types in pharmacology separately. We will see them in depth, we will give an example and we will discover why it is not recommended that we self-medicate. Go for it!
1. Ineffective dose
This first refers to that dose that is ineffective for a patient.
Let’s imagine that we have been prescribed a syrup to relieve a cough, but despite taking the maximum dose allowed, it does not produce any effect. When a dose is ineffective, what doctors usually do is prescribe a different drug, but whose objective is the same.
Sometimes, for reasons that sometimes do not have an answer, some drugs do not help us to solve the diseases that we suffer.
2. Minimum dose
When a drug is prescribed to us, there is always a minimum dose and another maximum dose that must never be exceeded. The normal thing is that at the beginning the minimum dose is always prescribed. This is the smallest amount of a medicine that has any healing effect on us.
If we have the flu, for example, and they prescribe effervescent sachets to relieve symptoms, it is very possible that with the minimum dose (2 a day) we will do well.
3. Maximum dose
What happens if the flu symptoms do not subside with two effervescent sachets a day? That we will have to try to increase that dose. Depending on the drugs, it can be done gradually.
For example, if we are taking some pills and the minimum dose is to take one, but the maximum is to take up to three, before reaching this extreme we will try to take two. In this way, we will avoid consuming an unnecessary higher dose. This third type of dose in pharmacology is of vital importance that we do not exceed it. Well, the maximum dose of a drug does not contain any risk. But if we cross this border, we may put ourselves in danger.
4. Toxic dose
When we exceed and exceed the maximum and safe dose of a drug, we will enter what we know as a toxic dose.
We provide the body with an amount of the drug that is already harmful and the side effects will not take long to appear. Vomiting, diarrhea, low blood pressure … These are some of the symptoms that a toxic dose of a drug can bring.
At what times do we incur a toxic dose? When a drug does not work for us, desperate and without being very clear about the maximum dose.
5. Deadly dose
It is very important that we pay close attention to the last of the dose types in pharmacology. Because, although some medications by a large amount taken alone can be toxic, others can lead to death.
Medications intended to alleviate depression or anxiety symptoms are highly susceptible to taking us to a deadly dose if we exceed their consumption.
Sometimes, to reach a fatal dose, you have to consume a large amount of the drug. Monitoring and the prescription issued by a doctor is always very important. Self-medicating can lead us to a toxic or fatal dose due to total ignorance.
However, the fact that a professional keeps track of all this will guarantee that, in the end, we consume what is going to work for us in the appropriate doses.
