A method for delivering intravenous drugs to a patient comprising programminga drug delivery system, including a controller and an infusion pump, with amaintenance rate or a loading dose for a drug and causing the drug deliverysystem to (a) calculate a loading dose based on the maintenance rate or amaintenance rate based on the loading dose, (b) administer the loading dose ofthe drug to the patient to rapidly achieve a desired level of effect, and (c)administer the drug at a first maintenance rate to maintain the level ofeffect.
