Influence of posttransplant time on dose and concentration of tacrolimus in liver transplant patients.
The dosage of tacrolimus (D), the trough blood concentrations (C) and the evolution of the D/C ratio were followed for 1 year after transplantation in so adult patients (38 males and 12 females) undergoing liver allograft. A total of 1489 samples were analysed by the IMx tacrolimus method. The overall median concentration was 11.27 ng/ml. During the 1st month the median of the tacrolimus levels was 8.4 ng/ml, and 73.1% of the analysed samples were within the established therapeutic range. The median oral tacrolimus dose was progressively reduced from 0.12 mg/kg per day during the 1st month to 0.06 mg/kg per day at the end of studied period. A significant negative association was observed between the D/C ratio and the post-transplantation period (r = -0.3892; P < 0.0001). The median D/C ratio ranged from 0.0144 at 1st month to 0.0053 at 1 year. Significant D/C declines were observed after the 1st and 3rd months posttransplant. The decrease in corticosteroid doses and the increase in serum albumin may explain the reduction in clearance with time.
Biochemistry Service, Hospital General Vall d'Hebron, University of Barcelona, Spain.
L
L
Pou
M
M
Brunet
I
I
Andres
M
M
Rodamilans
R
R
Lopez
J
J
Corbella
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D016031:Liver Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood*; D013997:Time Factors
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus