Drug holiday
Encyclopedia
A drug holiday is when a patient stops taking a medication(s) for a period of time; anywhere from a few days to many months or even years if they feel it is in their best interests.
Planned drug holidays are used in numerous fields of medicine. They are perhaps best known in HIV
therapy, after a study showed that stopping medication may stimulate the immune system
to attack the virus.
will tend to selectively destroy those helper T-cells most capable of fighting the HIV infection off, effectively desensitizing the immune system to the infection. The purpose of a structured treatment interruption is to create a short interval in which the virus becomes common enough to stimulate reproduction of T-cells capable of fighting the virus.
A 2006 HIV literature review noted that "two studies suggested that so-called drug holidays were of no benefit and might actually harm patients, while a third study suggested that the idea might still have value and should be revisited."
after a period of continuous use, and to reduce the tolerance effect that may require increased dosages.
In addition to drug holidays that are intended for therapeutic effect, they are sometimes used to reduce drug side effects
so that patients may enjoy a more normal life for a period of time such as a weekend or holiday, or engage in a particular activity. For example, it is common for patients using SSRI anti-depressant therapies to take a drug holiday to reduce or avoid side effects associated with sexual dysfunction
.
In the treatment of mental illness, a drug holiday may be part of a progression toward treatment cessation. The idea of a holiday is an acknowledgement that longer term psychoactive drug formulations may represent risks not apparent in early phases of use. The holiday is also a tool to assess a drug's benefits against unwanted side effects, assuming that both will end after an extended vacation (some psychoactive drugs have extended side effects long after cessation, however).
Planned drug holidays are used in numerous fields of medicine. They are perhaps best known in HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
therapy, after a study showed that stopping medication may stimulate the immune system
Immune system
An immune system is a system of biological structures and processes within an organism that protects against disease by identifying and killing pathogens and tumor cells. It detects a wide variety of agents, from viruses to parasitic worms, and needs to distinguish them from the organism's own...
to attack the virus.
As a treatment for HIV
HIV selectively targets activated helper T-cells. Thus, over time, this means that HIVHIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
will tend to selectively destroy those helper T-cells most capable of fighting the HIV infection off, effectively desensitizing the immune system to the infection. The purpose of a structured treatment interruption is to create a short interval in which the virus becomes common enough to stimulate reproduction of T-cells capable of fighting the virus.
A 2006 HIV literature review noted that "two studies suggested that so-called drug holidays were of no benefit and might actually harm patients, while a third study suggested that the idea might still have value and should be revisited."
Other uses
Another reason for drug holidays is to permit a drug to regain effectivenessTherapeutic effect
A therapeutic effect is a consequence of a medical treatment of any kind, the results of which are judged to be desirable and beneficial. This is true whether the result was expected, unexpected, or even an unintended consequence of the treatment...
after a period of continuous use, and to reduce the tolerance effect that may require increased dosages.
In addition to drug holidays that are intended for therapeutic effect, they are sometimes used to reduce drug side effects
Adverse drug reaction
An adverse drug reaction is an expression that describes harm associated with the use of given medications at a normal dosage. ADRs may occur following a single dose or prolonged administration of a drug or result from the combination of two or more drugs...
so that patients may enjoy a more normal life for a period of time such as a weekend or holiday, or engage in a particular activity. For example, it is common for patients using SSRI anti-depressant therapies to take a drug holiday to reduce or avoid side effects associated with sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction
Sexual dysfunction or sexual malfunction refers to a difficulty experienced by an individual or a couple during any stage of a normal sexual activity, including desire, arousal or orgasm....
.
In the treatment of mental illness, a drug holiday may be part of a progression toward treatment cessation. The idea of a holiday is an acknowledgement that longer term psychoactive drug formulations may represent risks not apparent in early phases of use. The holiday is also a tool to assess a drug's benefits against unwanted side effects, assuming that both will end after an extended vacation (some psychoactive drugs have extended side effects long after cessation, however).