What is the loading dose of Prasugrel before starting the maintenance dose?

The loading dose of Prasugrel before starting the maintenance dose is indeed 60 mg. This is an important aspect of its administration, particularly in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for acute coronary syndrome.

Prasugrel is a thienopyridine antiplatelet agent that works by irreversibly inhibiting the P2Y12 component of the ADP receptor on platelets, which helps to prevent platelet activation and aggregation. The 60 mg loading dose is designed to achieve rapid platelet inhibition, which is crucial during the acute management of coronary events.

Subsequent to this loading dose, patients typically receive a maintenance dose of 10 mg daily. The rationale behind initiating therapy with a loading dose is to ensure that the antiplatelet effect is established quickly, thereby reducing the risk of thrombotic complications that can occur in the immediate setting of coronary intervention.

Choosing the correct loading dose is essential for the effective management of patients receiving antiplatelet therapy and can significantly influence clinical outcomes in acute settings.