A Patient Is Given a Prescription for Azithromycin [Zithromax] and Asks

A patient is given a prescription for azithromycin [Zithromax] and asks the nurse why the dose on the first day is twice the amount of the dose on the next 4 days. Which reply by the nurse is correct?

A) "A large initial dose helps to get the drug to optimal levels in the body faster."
B) "The first dose is larger to minimize the first-pass effect of the liver."
C) "The four smaller doses help the body taper the amount of drug more gradually."
D) "Tubular reabsorption is faster with initial doses, so more is needed at first."