Lung Transplant Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Lung Transplant, including details on risks, prognosis, procedure, surgery, organ donation.

Blood concentration curve of cyclosporine: impact of itraconazole in lung transplant recipients.

Irani S, Fattinger K, Schmid-Mahler C, Achermann E, Speich R, Boehler A

Clinic of Pulmonary Medicine, University Hospital Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.

Although the influence of cytochrome P450 inhibitory drugs on the area under the curve (AUC) of cyclosporine (CsA) has been described, data concerning the impact of these substances on the shape of the blood concentration curve are scarce. By assessment of CsA blood levels before and 1, 2, and 4 hr after oral intake (C0, C1, C2, and C4, respectively) CsA profiling examinations were performed in 20 lung transplant recipients taking 400 mg, 200 mg, and no itraconazole, respectively. The three groups showed comparable results for C0, C2, and AUC(0-12). Greater values were found for Cmax, Cmax-C0, peak-trough fluctuation and rise to Cmax in favor of the non-itraconazole group. Additionally, tmax was shorter in the non-itraconazole group. Comedication with the metabolic inhibitor itraconazole is associated with a flattening of the CsA blood concentration profile in lung transplant recipients. These changes cannot be assessed by isolated C0, C2, or AUC(0-12) values alone.

Published 24 April 2007 in Transplantation, 83(8): 1130-3.
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