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In [[medicine]], a '''course of [[medication]]''' is a period of continuous treatment with a drug, sometimes with variable dosage. Treatment with some drugs should not end abruptly. Instead, their '''course''' should end with a tapering dosage. | In [[medicine]], a '''course of [[medication]]''' is a period of continuous treatment with a drug, sometimes with variable dosage. Treatment with some drugs should not end abruptly. Instead, their '''course''' should end with a tapering dosage. | ||
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;[[Steroids]]: For both short-term and long-term steroid treatment, when stopping treatment, the dosage is tapered rather than abruptly ended. This permits the [[adrenal gland]]s to resume the body's natural production of [[cortisol]]. Abrupt discontinuation can result in [[adrenal insufficiency]]; and/or steroid withdrawal syndrome — a rebound effect in which exaggerated symptoms return. | ;[[Steroids]]: For both short-term and long-term steroid treatment, when stopping treatment, the dosage is tapered rather than abruptly ended. This permits the [[adrenal gland]]s to resume the body's natural production of [[cortisol]]. Abrupt discontinuation can result in [[adrenal insufficiency]]; and/or steroid withdrawal syndrome — a rebound effect in which exaggerated symptoms return. | ||
Another meaning in medicine is the '''course of a disease''', a description of the speed of evolution of the [[disease]]. Diseases can have an [[Acute (medical)|acute]], a subacute, a [[Chronic (medicine)|chronic]] or a | Another meaning in medicine is the '''course of a disease''', a description of the speed of evolution of the [[disease]]. Diseases can have an [[Acute (medical)|acute]], a subacute, a [[Chronic (medicine)|chronic]] or a recurrent course. A [[fulminant]] course is a particularly severe and rapid acute course. A patient can be at the beginning, the middle or the end of the disease's course. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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===Course of disease=== | ===Course of disease=== | ||
[[Category:Medical terms]] | [[Category:Medical terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 00:17, 9 August 2012
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In medicine, a course of medication is a period of continuous treatment with a drug, sometimes with variable dosage. Treatment with some drugs should not end abruptly. Instead, their course should end with a tapering dosage.
- Antibiotics
- Taking the full course of antibiotics is important to prevent reinfection and/or development of drug-resistant bacteria.
- Steroids
- For both short-term and long-term steroid treatment, when stopping treatment, the dosage is tapered rather than abruptly ended. This permits the adrenal glands to resume the body's natural production of cortisol. Abrupt discontinuation can result in adrenal insufficiency; and/or steroid withdrawal syndrome — a rebound effect in which exaggerated symptoms return.
Another meaning in medicine is the course of a disease, a description of the speed of evolution of the disease. Diseases can have an acute, a subacute, a chronic or a recurrent course. A fulminant course is a particularly severe and rapid acute course. A patient can be at the beginning, the middle or the end of the disease's course.