Etiotropic

Etiotropic (from ancient Greek αἰτία - cause and τρόπος - direction, path) - aimed at eliminating the cause of the disease.

Etiotropic therapy involves influencing the pathogen or other links in the pathogenesis of the disease in order to cure it. It is contrasted with symptomatic therapy, which only eliminates symptoms without affecting the course of the disease.

Examples of etiotropic drugs:

1. Antibiotics for bacterial infections. They inhibit the growth and reproduction of bacteria.

2. Antiviral drugs for viral diseases. They block the proliferation of viruses in cells.

3. Drugs that restore metabolic processes disrupted by illness.

4. Hormonal drugs that replenish hormone deficiency in endocrine diseases.

Thus, etiotropic therapy is aimed at combating the cause of the disease, in contrast to symptomatic therapy, which eliminates only the symptoms of the disease. The etiotropic method of treatment allows achieving lasting recovery.