What is the meaning of the term initial dose?

The term "initial dose" specifically refers to the first dose of a medication that a patient receives. This dose is crucial as it sets the stage for the patient's subsequent medication regimen and helps to establish the drug's effectiveness while minimizing potential side effects. Understanding the initial dose is particularly important in determining how the body will respond to the medication and how future dosing may be adjusted based on that response.

In practice, the initial dose is often used to initiate treatment and may be influenced by several factors including the patient's age, weight, medical history, and the condition being treated. It is typically followed by maintenance doses that aim to keep drug levels within a therapeutic range.

While other terms like plateau doses or maximum doses are important in the context of treatment, they do not accurately define what is meant by the initial dose.