Pharmacokinetics of FK 506 in transplant patients.

Intravenous, oral pharmacokinetics, and oral dosing of FK 506 in small bowel transplant patients.

FK 506 is a new macrolide with potent immunosuppressive activity. Use of this drug is associated with reduced incidence of rejection following liver. kidney. and heart transplantation. 1-4 Recently, FK 506 has been shown to be effective in small bowel transplantation. S It is known that FK 506 absorption is not influenced by the presence or absence of bile.6--8 The aims of this study are to: (\...

Effect of hepatic dysfunction and T tube clamping on FK 506 pharmacokinetics and trough concentrations.

I N initial clinical trials of organ transplanta.tion, F~. 5~ has shown remarkable immunosuppressive activity. The drug is very lipophilic. metabolized in the liver, and predominantly eliminated through the bile. 2 Hepatic dysfunction was expected to alter the pharmacokinetics of FK 506. Hepatic dysfunction is also known to alter the absorption of lipid soluble drugs. 3 This is related to the l...

Distribution of FK 506 in plasma lipoproteins in transplant patients.

FK 506, a powerful. new immunosuppressive agent, is currently undergoing clinical trials in transplant patients. Like cyclosporine (CyA). FK 506 suppresses interleukin-2 production and receptor expression on T cells. 1.2 Additionally, both FK 506 and CyA are highly lipophilic. 3 CyA is mainly transported by lipoproteins in plasma.4 The objective of the present study is to characterize the distr...

FK 506 in small bowel transplant recipients: pharmacokinetics and dosing.

Selected topics on FK 506, with special references to rescue of extrahepatic whole organ grafts, transplantation of "forbidden organs," side effects, mechanisms, and practical pharmacokinetics.

FK 506 is a superior immunosuppressive agent that should improve the grafting of organs that already are part of our every day transplant practices, as well as those which are presently impractical. Immune intervention for serious autoimmune diseases also should be a more attractive option with this drug. Lessons are still being learned about dosage and what determines safe dose schedules. At a...