 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (February 2021) |
 | This provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject. (February 2021) |
In pharmacokinetics, a maintenance dose is the maintenance rate [mg/h] of drug administration equal to the rate of elimination at steady state. This is not to be confused with dose regimen, which is a type of drug therapy in which the dose [mg] of a drug is given at a regular dosing interval on a repetitive basis. Continuing the maintenance dose for about 4 to 5 half-lives (t1/2) of the drug will approximate the steady state level.[1] One or more doses higher than the maintenance dose can be given together at the beginning of therapy with a loading dose.[2]
A loading dose is most useful for drugs that are eliminated from the body relatively slowly. Such drugs need only a low maintenance dose in order to keep the amount of the drug in the body at the appropriate level, but this also means that, without an initial higher dose, it would take a long time for the amount of the drug in the body to reach that level.
- ^ Houglum, Joel; Harrelson, Gary (2010). Principles of Pharmacology for Athletic Trainers. SLACK Incorporated. p. 51. ISBN 978-1-55642-901-9. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
- ^ "Cp vs time - iv infusion with loading dose". Archived from the original on 2012-02-16.