Therapeutic Substitution

Definition

Dispensing a different drug from the one prescribed, but within the same therapeutic class, when the prescribed drug is unavailable or for cost reasons. Unlike generic substitution (same drug, different manufacturer), therapeutic substitution involves a chemically different medication.

Example

Substituting atorvastatin for rosuvastatin is a therapeutic substitution (different statins), while substituting generic atorvastatin for Lipitor is a generic substitution.

Related Terms

Drug Class Generic Drug Generic Equivalence

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