Vancomycin loading dose is associated with increased early clinical response without attainment of initial target trough concentration at a steady state in patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections.

A loading dose of 25 mg/kg followed by 15 mg/kg twice daily did not achieve the optimal Cmin at steady state in patients with normal renal function. However, more early clinical responses were obtained with a loading dose compared with traditional dosing, possibly because of a prompt albeit temporary achievement of a more effective concentration.