Keywords
Effects; Tacrolimus; Pharmacokinetics; Liver transplant; Patients
Abstract
Tacrolimus is widely used in clinic for the treatment of anti-rejection in liver or kidney transplant patients. It is characterized by narrow therapeutic range and great individual variation. Moreover, the complexity of interactions between tacrolimus and other drugs and the particularity of disease in patients with different physiological state seriously affect the blood concentrations of tacrolimus. Factors investigated that might influence the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus included postoperative days, age, height, body weight, race, hematocrit, type of graft, hepatic function, renal function, drug interaction and genetic polymorphisms. The aim of this review is to critically analyze the effects of different factors on the pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus in liver transplantation patients.
Core Tip: To achieve a steady target concentration of tacrolimus is essential for liver transplant patients. In clinic, we should not only focus on the concentration of therapeutic drug monitoring results, but also pay attention to the influences of other factors on the concentration of tacrolimus
Citation
Zhang Y, Yang JW, Zhu LQ and Wang N. Effects on Pharmacokinetics of Tacrolimus in Liver Transplant Patients. SM J Pharmac Ther. 2016; 2(2): 1012.