DDDs FOR COMBINED PRODUCTS

January 2007

The DDDs assigned for combination products are based on the main principle of counting the combination as one daily dose, regardless of the number of active ingredients included in the combination. If a treatment schedule for a patient includes e.g. two single ingredient products, then the consumption will be measured by counting the DDDs of each single ingredient product separately. If , however, a treatment schedule includes a combination product containing two active ingredients, then the calculated consumption measured in DDDs will normally be lower since the DDD for the combination will be counted.
Principles for assigning DDDs to combination products are described in the Guidelines for ATC classification and DDD assignment or see website (the ATC/DDD system):

For combination products or products where a DDD for various reasons cannot be given in amount of active ingredient, the unit UD (unit dose) is used:


- Tablets, suppositories, pessaries, etc:
1 UD equals 1 tablet, 1 suppository, 1 pessary etc.

- Powder for oral use:
1 UD equals 1 gram of powder.

- Powder in single dose units for oral use:
1 UD equals 1 unit dose powder.

- Powder for injection:
1 UD equals 1 gram of powder.

- Powder for inhalation:
1 UD equals 1 unit dose powder, e.g. 1 capsule.

- Liquid preparations for oral use (mixtures, syrups etc.):
1 UD equals 5 ml of the preparation.

- Liquid preparations for parenteral use (injections):
1 UD equals 1 ml of the preparation.

- Liquid preparations for rectal use:
1 UD equals 1 ml of the preparation.

- Liquid preparations for inhalation:
1 UD equals 1 ml of the preparation.

- Liquid preparations for inhalation in single dose units (unit dose):
1 UD equals 1 unit dose inhal.sol

- Enemas:
1 UD equals 1 enema.

- Plaster for transdermal application:
1 UD equals 1 plaster.

- Vaginal cream:
1 UD equals 1 dose, 1 application.