Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 18, 2026

Diagonal Method to Measure Synergy Among Any Number of Drugs
Published on: June 21, 2018
Truly "rational" polytherapy: maximizing efficacy and minimizing drug interactions, drug load, and adverse effects
1Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA. StLouis.Erik@mayo.edu
Abstract:
While several newer AEDs have study data that support monotherapy usage, most possess FDA indications for adjunctive treatment of partial onset seizures, leading to their initial (and often persistent) clinical use as adjunctive polytherapy for patients with refractory epilepsy. This review considers a practical approach to the appropriate role for polytherapy in epilepsy, presents the evidence for AED polytherapy, reviews the mythic but practically reasonable concept of "rational polytherapy," and concludes with practical strategies for avoiding and employing polytherapy in clinical practice. The appropriate indications for AED polytherapy include transitional polytherapy during titration of a new adjunctive AED toward monotherapy or long-term maintenance AED polytherapy in medically refractory epilepsy.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Therapy
Antianxiety Medications
Pharmacokinetic–Pharmacodynamic Relationship: Problems
Dosage Regimen: Individualization
Rational Dosage Regimen: Maintenance Dose and Loading Dose
In most cases, drugs are administered repetitively or infused continuously to maintain a steady-state concentration in the body. At a steady state,...
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Dosage Regimens: Designs and Approaches