Cyclosporine pharmacokinetics and blood pressure responses after conversion to once-daily dosing in maintenance liver transplant patients

Clin Transplant. 2008 Jan-Feb;22(1):68-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2007.00747.x.

Abstract

In this six-month randomized multicenter trial, we characterized cyclosporine pharmacokinetics and blood pressure profiles in maintenance liver transplant patients converting from twice-daily to once-daily cyclosporine dosing. A total of 60 patients were randomized as follows: group A (n = 14) maintained twice-daily dosing; group B (n = 24) converted to once-daily dosing at the same total daily dose as pre-conversion; and group C (n = 22) was treated the same as group B but with a 25% reduction in dose and C2 at two to three wk post-conversion. After conversion to once-daily dosing in groups B and C, trough blood levels (C0) did not change; whereas, C2 nearly doubled. The total daily area under the concentration-time curve AUC(0-24) increased by 29%. After the dose reduction in group C, the AUC(0-24) was similar to the pre-conversion value. Hence, a 25-30% dose reduction can be considered after conversion to once-daily dosing. In the study observation period in weeks 4-15, the median (25-75 percentile) C2 was 568 (469-750) ng/mL for group A; 1055 (840-1224) ng/mL for group B; and 764 (575-959) ng/mL for group C. Conversion to once-daily dosing was associated with a decrease in nighttime mean arterial blood pressure.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Area Under Curve
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects*
  • Blood Pressure Monitoring, Ambulatory
  • Circadian Rhythm / physiology
  • Cyclosporine / administration & dosage*
  • Cyclosporine / pharmacokinetics*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Immunosuppressive Agents / pharmacokinetics*
  • Liver Transplantation* / immunology
  • Liver Transplantation* / physiology
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Immunosuppressive Agents
  • Cyclosporine