title: Interactions between tacrolimus and antimicrobial agents.
abstract: Tacrolimus is being increasingly used as an immunosuppressive agent in transplant recipients. The drug is metabolized by the cytochrome P-450 3A system, thus antimicrobials that inhibit or induce these enzymes can alter levels of tacrolimus in the bloodstream. Tacrolimus is potentially nephrotoxic and neurotoxic; the likelihood of toxicity rises as blood levels of the drug increase. Increased tacrolimus levels and subsequent toxicity have been produced by a number of antimicrobial agents that inhibit the cytochrome P-450 3A system. Conversely, drugs with the potential to induce the cytochrome P-450 3A system can reduce the levels of tacrolimus in the blood, leading to increased risk of acute rejection in transplant recipients. Antimicrobial agents that can have adverse effects on renal function may add to the nephrotoxicity of tacrolimus. The potential for drug interactions should be reviewed before antimicrobial agents are prescribed to patients treated with tacrolimus.
authors.affiliation: Infectious Disease Section, Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15240, USA.
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Paterson
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Singh
mesh_terms: D042462:4-Quinolones; D000617:Aminoglycosides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000935:Antifungal Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000494:pharmacology; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; D051544:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D004347:Drug Interactions; D006020:Glycopeptides; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007668:Kidney / Q000187:drug effects; D007769:Lactams; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012294:Rifamycins / Q000494:pharmacology; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014612:Vaccines / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D042462:4-Quinolones; D000617:Aminoglycosides; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000935:Antifungal Agents; D000977:Antiparasitic Agents; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D006020:Glycopeptides; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D007769:Lactams; D012294:Rifamycins; D014612:Vaccines; D003577:Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; D001189:Aryl Hydrocarbon Hydroxylases; D051544:Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A; D010089:Oxidoreductases, N-Demethylating; D016559:Tacrolimus