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What is the full form of DDD in pharmacovigilance?

Published in Pharmacovigilance 2 mins read

The full form of DDD in pharmacovigilance is Defined Daily Dose.

Understanding DDD

DDD is a standardized measure used to compare the amount of medication used in different populations. It represents the average daily dose of a drug as prescribed for its main indication in adults.

Purpose of DDD in Pharmacovigilance

  • Drug utilization studies: DDD helps assess the consumption of medications within a population, aiding in identifying trends and potential issues.
  • Pharmacoepidemiological research: DDD facilitates comparisons of drug use across different geographic regions and time periods.
  • Safety monitoring: DDD plays a crucial role in identifying potential safety concerns associated with drug use.

How DDD is Used

The DDD for a specific drug is established by the World Health Organization (WHO) and is regularly updated. Pharmacovigilance professionals use DDD data to:

  • Calculate the amount of medication used in a specific population.
  • Compare the consumption of different drugs.
  • Identify potential drug-related adverse events.
  • Monitor the effectiveness of drug safety programs.

Example

Let's say the DDD for a specific antibiotic is 500mg. If a patient takes 1000mg of that antibiotic daily, they are using 2 DDDs. This information can be used to compare the patient's drug usage with others and identify potential safety concerns.

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