Loading and Maintenance Dose

Volume of distribution By giving a loading dose you can overcome the volume of distribution

In loading doses, _________ makes a difference?

Target concentration faster than maintenance doses (Initial concentration are high)

Loading doses achieve what?

Loading dose is not affected by clearance Doesn't matter what you give as a first dose (subsequent doses matter)

Relationship between loading dose and clearance?

Clearance effects time to steady state Slowed rate of administration may mitigate toxicity

Relationship between maintenance dose and clearance?

It continues to deliver continuous concentration of drug at the site of action (achieved by loading dose)

What do additional maintenance doses do?

The volume of distribution (i.e. Vancomycin making it to the lungs)

What does giving loading doses overcome?