Loading dose

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If a drug takes a long time to reach therapeutic levels, then a higher dose (the loading dose) may be given initially before dropping down to a lower maintenance dose.

Drugs which may be started with an initial loading dose include digoxin, teicoplanin, and procainamide. Phenytoin for acute status epilepticus should also be given with an initial loading dose, co-administered with a benzodiazepine, to immediately stabilize neuronal membranes and electrical activity during a seizure.