title: Switch from twice-daily tacrolimus (Prograf) to once-daily prolonged-release tacrolimus (Advagraf) in kidney transplantation.
abstract: Advagraf is a new modified-release once-daily formulation of tacrolimus. The aim of this study was to define the efficacy and safety of switching from Prograf to Advagraf immunosuppression in kidney transplant recipients. The switched dose ratio of Prograf to Advagraf was 1:1. Forty-one patients (34 men and 7 women) were switched at 36.6 ± 16.1 months after kidney transplantation. All patients maintained stable renal function and the conversion. In 16 subjects it was possible to withdraw steroid administration after obtaining adequate Advagraf blood levels, among whom 14 remained steroid free. Adverse events, including dizziness and tinnitus, were reported in 1 patient, who was reverted to Prograf. One patient who was receiving triple therapy with low tacrolimus blood levels experienced are acute rejection episode. The switch to Advagraf was safe and efficacious in kidney transplant recipients with or without steroid administration. Moreover, interruption of steroid was possible and well tolerated after achieving adequate stable blood levels with Advagraf.
authors.affiliation: Transplant Unit, S. Eugenio Hospital, Tor Vergata University, Rome, Italy. giuseppeiaria@hotmail.com
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iaria
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sforza
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Angelico
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Toti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Luca
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Manuelli
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bellini
authors.forename: T M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Manzia
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anselmo
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tisone
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D007558:Italy; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D013256:Steroids; D003404:Creatinine; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid; D016559:Tacrolimus