What is meant by "therapeutic substitution"?

"Therapeutic substitution" refers to the practice of replacing a prescribed medication with a different drug that has a similar therapeutic effect but may have a different chemical structure. This is done to achieve the same health outcome while considering factors such as cost, availability, or patient tolerance.

For instance, if a patient is prescribed a specific medication but it is found to be in short supply or more expensive, a pharmacist may switch it with another medication that treats the same condition and works in a similar way. This practice is crucial in ensuring that patients receive effective treatment while also managing healthcare costs and resources efficiently.

The other options describe different concepts. Simply changing the dosage of a drug does not constitute a therapeutic substitution, as the original medication is still being utilized. Combining therapies could refer to polypharmacy or adjuvant treatment rather than substituting one drug for another. Discontinuing a drug that isn't effective is related to medication management but does not involve substituting it with another drug, thus it does not align with the definition of therapeutic substitution.