Description

A drug holiday refers to a temporary interruption in drug therapy. This usually ranges from a few days to weeks but can last much longer.


 

Patient selection: chronic drug therapy

 

A patient may want a drug holiday if s/he has:

(1) a chronic psychiatric disorder such as schizophrenia

(2) a chronic neurologic disorders (Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, other)

(3) osteoporosis

(4) HIV

(5) cancer

 

Reasons to consider a drug holiday:

(1) troubling side effects

(2) reducing the risk of a complication

(3) depression (anger) or negative feelings focused towards the therapy

(4) sorting out a complex drug regimen

(5) loss of efficacy due to tolerance

 

Drug holidays may also occur by accident:

(1) while traveling

(2) if in the hospital

(3) during a drug shortage

 

General points:

(1) A patient should not decide to have a drug holiday without consulting with the prescribing physician or a pharmacist.

(2) An interruption in therapy should be known not to have any serious adverse effects for the patient such as loss of disease control.

(3) Starting and stopping a drug may affect other drugs being taken if there are drug interactions.

 


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