What is the importance of taking the full daily dose and
finishing all of the pills that are prescribed during a short-
term course of treatment? The dose and duration of therapy with
drugs usually is determined by scientific experiments. In some
diseases, for example, infections, it takes a certain length of
time of exposure to a specific dose of an antibiotic or
antiviral drug in order to kill the bacteria or virus. If the
right dose is not taken for the correct length of time, some of
the bacteria or viruses may survive, multiply, and cause the
infection to recur. Inadequate treatment also may promote the
development of resistance to the drug by the bacterium or virus.
Then the antibiotic or antiviral drug may not work at all. Like
antibiotics, other types of drugs also may be required at a
specific dose and duration to achieve appropriate levels in the
body to adequately combat the disease. With some medications
this even may require weeks or months of treatment. Thank you
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