1999Therapeutic Drug MonitoringRequires access

Drug Interaction Between Mycophenolate Mofetil and Tacrolimus Detectable Within Therapeutic Mycophenolic Acid Monitoring in Renal Transplant Patients

Gertraude Hübner, Rose Eismann, W Sziegoleit

Open publisher page 95 citations

Abstract

The possible pharmacokinetic interaction between the new immunosuppressive mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus (TAC), respectively, was assessed by comparing routinely estimated mycophenolic acid (MPA) plasma trough levels of 15 consecutive renal transplant patients receiving MMF in combination with methylprednisolone (MEP) and cyclosporin A (CSA, 10 patients) or in combination with MEP and tacrolimus (TAC, 5 patients). Coadministration of TAC instead of CSA resulted in a significant increase of mean MPA plasma trough levels [3.4 +/- 1.3 microg/mL (n = 22) versus 1.87 +/- 1.1 microg/mL (n = 57); p < 0.001], despite lower MMF doses [1.5 +/- 0.5 g/d versus 1.7 +/- 0.3 g/d (not statistically significant)]. This elevation in MPA levels is possibly caused by an interaction between MMF and TAC and could lead to a recommendation to monitor MPA plasma levels with appropriate dose adjustment.

About this research paper

What this paper is about

The possible pharmacokinetic interaction between the new immunosuppressive mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus (TAC), respectively, was assessed by comparing routinely estimated mycophenolic acid (MPA) plasma trough levels of 15 consecutive renal transplant patients receiving MMF in combination with methylprednisolone (MEP) and cyclosporin A (CSA, 10 patients) or in combination with MEP and tacrolimus (TAC, 5 patients). Coadministration of TAC instead of CSA resulted in a significant increase of mean MPA plasma trough levels [3.4 +/- 1.3 microg/mL (n = 22) versus 1.87 +/- 1.1 microg/mL (n = 57); p < 0.001], despite lower MMF doses [1.5 +/- 0.5 g/d versus 1.7 +/- 0.3 g/d (not statistically significant)]. This elevation in MPA levels is possibly caused by an interaction between MMF and TAC and could lead to a recommendation to monitor MPA plasma levels with appropriate dose adjustment.

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Available abstract

The possible pharmacokinetic interaction between the new immunosuppressive mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and tacrolimus (TAC), respectively, was assessed by comparing routinely estimated mycophenolic acid (MPA) plasma trough levels of 15 consecutive renal transplant patients receiving MMF in combination with methylprednisolone (MEP) and cyclosporin A (CSA, 10 patients) or in combination with MEP and tacrolimus (TAC, 5 patients). Coadministration of TAC instead of CSA resulted in a significant increase of mean MPA plasma trough levels [3.4 +/- 1.3 microg/mL (n = 22) versus 1.87 +/- 1.1 microg/mL (n = 57); p < 0.001], despite lower MMF doses [1.5 +/- 0.5 g/d versus 1.7 +/- 0.3 g/d (not statistically significant)]. This elevation in MPA levels is possibly caused by an interaction between MMF and TAC and could lead to a recommendation to monitor MPA plasma levels with appropriate dose adjustment.

Key concepts: Mycophenolic acid, Tacrolimus, Mycophenolate, Trough level, Pharmacokinetics, Therapeutic drug monitoring, Urology, Medicine

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Drug Interaction Between Mycophenolate Mofetil and Tacrolimus Detectable Within Therapeutic Mycophenolic Acid Monitoring in Renal Transplant Patients — Research Paper | ScholarLens