The loading dose is a dose larger than the maintenance dose, administered at the initiation of therapy to achieve faster approach to .
Steady State
loading dose (mg)
In this example, the maintenance dose is kept constant (1000 mg), and we assume that the total body clearance (CLT) is constant. Only the loading dose is different.
Administration of a loading dose results in faster approach to , however it does not affect the steady state concentration.
plasma concentration depends on the rate of drug administration (the maintenance dose) and the total body clearance.
