Last week I got an email from a reader with a great question. "What is a medication vacation?" Or in other lingo, "what is a drug holiday?"
The answer wasn't easy. As with so many questions we have about our health, there are a dozen more questions to ask before beginning to answer. But as we "chatted" I realized that this concept that we talked about in medical school isn't something that's talked about much outside the classroom. In other words, I found it hard to find good information to direct her way.
One reason is that there are many reasons a physician may recommend a drug holiday. Defined as "a conscious choice to discontinue a medication for a period of time," drug holidays have been recommended for nearly every medical condition and nearly every medication. And the reasons for the recommendation are numerous as well.
In her case, taking time off of a medication that had stopped working meant that it might work again after a break.
What are the reasons your doctor might recommend a vacation from your medication, and what are the risks and benefits of such a "holiday?" Check out this article:
