title: Pharmacokinetics of orally administered tacrolimus in lupus nephritis patients.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of orally administered tacrolimus were examined in six female lupus nephritis patients (mean age 43 years, range 24-55 years). Tacrolimus (3 mg) was administered after supper, and blood tacrolimus concentrations were measured just prior to dosing and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 and 24 h after administration. The maximum blood concentration (C(max)) was observed 4-8 h (mean: 6.7 h) after administration. The mean C(max) and area under the tacrolimus concentrationti-me curve (AUC(0-24 h)) were 12.7 ng/ml and 163.1 ng x h/ml, respectively. Although there was a weak correlation between AUC(0-24 h) values and tacrolimus concentrations 2, 4, and 6 h after administration, concentrations at 12 h and 24 h were highly correlated with AUC(0-24 h) values, suggesting that the trough concentration (C(24 h)) and C(12 h) are valid markers for therapeutic tacrolimus monitoring. Enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA) and microparticle enzyme immunoassay (MEIA) measurements of blood tacrolimus concentrations were similar. We recommend that monitoring should be carried out by C(12 h) in lupus nephritis outpatients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Kidney Center, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan. kuchida@kc.twmu.ac.jp
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Uchida
authors.forename: Yukari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Asamiya
authors.forename: Takashi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Takei
authors.forename: Mitsuyo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Itabashi
authors.forename: Hidekazu
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sugiura
authors.forename: Misao
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tsukada
authors.forename: Kosaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nitta
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D008181:Lupus Nephritis / Q000378:metabolism*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016559:Tacrolimus