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Tacrolimus dose requirement in renal transplant recipients is significantly higher when used in combination with corticosteroids
Author(s) -
Hesselink Dennis A.,
Ngyuen Hien,
Wabbijn Marike,
Gregoor Peter J. H. Smak,
Steyerberg Ewout W.,
Van Riemsdijk Iza C.,
Weimar Willem,
Van Gelder Teun
Publication year - 2003
Publication title -
british journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.216
H-Index - 146
eISSN - 1365-2125
pISSN - 0306-5251
DOI - 10.1046/j.0306-5251.2003.01882.x
Subject(s) - tacrolimus , medicine , renal transplant , urology , pharmacology , kidney , transplantation
Aims To evaluate the effect of corticosteroids on tacrolimus pharmacokinetics. Methods In a randomized trial, kidney transplant recipients were treated with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil with either daclizumab ( n = 31) or 3 months of prednisone ( n = 34). Tacrolimus dose‐adjusted predose concentrations ( C 0 ) at month 1–6 were compared between both groups and within the corticosteroid group before and after prednisone withdrawal. Results At month 1 the tacrolimus dose‐adjusted C 0 in the corticosteroid group was 83 ± 8 vs 119 ± 17 ng ml −1 mg −1 kg −1 in the daclizumab group. The tacrolimus dose‐adjusted C 0 within the corticosteroid group at month 1 and 2 was 42% and 29% lower compared with month 4 ( P < 0.001). Conclusions A higher tacrolimus dose is required to reach target concentrations when used in combination with corticosteroids.