monotherapy

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "monotherapy" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in medical contexts to refer to the use of a single drug or therapy to treat a condition. Example: "The doctor recommended monotherapy for the patient's hypertension to minimize potential side effects."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

A large part of the reason for the build-up of resistance is the use of the drug by itself, as a monotherapy, rather than in combination with another drug.

The Economist

The company is also testing Kalydeco as a monotherapy in patients as young as 2 1/2 years old and in patients with gene mutations not studied in its original pivotal trials.

The New York Times

These put Avandia in quite a negative light when folks look at the response of the RSG monotherapy arm," the message said.

The New York Times - Health

The same economic logic applies to the monotherapy drugs which are similarly contributing to artemisinin resistance.

The Guardian - Opinion

A contributory factor was the widespread availability in the region of high quality artesunate tablets from China and Vietnam, where the artesunate was present as a single ingredient or monotherapy, rather than in combination; this gave the parasite a far better chance of developing resistance.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is also a recommendation that if taken during pregnancy sodium valproate should be used as monotherapy at the lowest effect dose".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

That is cheaper than buying the drugs separately, but much more expensive than the dodgy monotherapies uncovered by the researchers.

The Economist

The leading ACT today is Coartem, which combines artemether, a derivative of the Chinese drug, with lumifantrine, another anti-malarial remedy.The snag is that unscrupulous manufacturers peddle substandard ACTs and monotherapies.

The Economist

Their study, recently published in the Public Library of Science (PLoS), found that many were substandard and that a third were artemisinin monotherapies.

The Economist

If a single source from a vat replaces the diverse botanical supply, it would be easy to control the market and eradicate monotherapies.

The Guardian

Regrettably many companies continued to produce the monotherapies and far too many malarial country governments continued to allow their use.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "monotherapy" when describing clinical trials or research studies evaluating the efficacy of a single drug or treatment modality. This clarifies the study design and outcomes.

Common error

Avoid implying that "monotherapy" is inherently inferior to combination therapy. While combination approaches are often preferred, "monotherapy" can be highly effective and appropriate for certain conditions, patient populations, or stages of disease. Clearly state the specific reasons for choosing "monotherapy" when it is the selected approach.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "monotherapy" is as a noun. It refers to a treatment approach that utilizes a single therapeutic agent or modality. Ludwig AI confirms its usage in various medical and scientific contexts.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

33%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "monotherapy" is a noun that describes a treatment approach using a single therapeutic agent. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used, primarily in formal medical and scientific contexts. It is important to use "monotherapy" accurately to distinguish it from combination therapies. While combination approaches are often preferred, "monotherapy" can be highly effective and appropriate for certain conditions. Common sources include The New York Times, The Guardian, and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

single-drug therapy

Emphasizes the use of only one medication in the treatment.

single-agent treatment

Highlights the use of a solitary agent for therapeutic purposes.

sole treatment

Focuses on the exclusivity of the therapy being administered.

solo therapy

Uses "solo" to convey the idea of a single, isolated treatment approach.

unimodal therapy

Implies that one mode of treatment is being applied, as opposed to multiple modalities.

individualized treatment

Highlights that the therapy is tailored to the individual, even if it involves a single approach.

stand-alone treatment

Emphasizes that the treatment is sufficient on its own, without needing supplementary therapies.

single modality treatment

Indicates one specific treatment modality is being used on its own.

isolated treatment approach

Stresses the separation of this treatment from any other concurrent therapies.

mono-intervention

A more concise term signifying a single intervention strategy.

FAQs

How is "monotherapy" used in medical contexts?

"Monotherapy" refers to the use of a single drug or treatment to manage a medical condition, rather than a combination of therapies. It is often employed when a condition is mild, or to minimize potential side effects from multiple drugs.

What are the advantages of "monotherapy" over combination therapy?

"Monotherapy" can simplify treatment regimens, reduce the risk of drug interactions, lower costs, and improve patient adherence. It is often preferred when a single agent can effectively manage the condition.

When might combination therapy be favored over "monotherapy"?

Combination therapy is often preferred when a condition is severe or complex, requiring multiple mechanisms of action to achieve optimal control. It can also help overcome drug resistance or address multiple aspects of a disease simultaneously.

What's an alternative to "monotherapy"?

An alternative to "monotherapy" is "combination therapy", which involves using two or more treatments together to achieve a synergistic or additive effect. The choice depends on the specific condition, patient characteristics, and treatment goals.