Use of narrow therapeutic index drugs in organ transplantation

Hai An Ha Phan1
1 Trường Đại học Y Hà Nội

Main Article Content

Abstract

A safe and effective use of immunosuppressants for optimal therapeutic benefit in transplant patients is a matter of constant concern. In order to achieve a balance between safety and efficacy, a thorough understanding of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a drug, and tools to help maintaining target drug levels such as therapeutic drug monitoring are required. Particular concern is given to drugs with a narrow therapeutic window, such as calcineurin inhibitors. In addition, the introduction of many generic drugs with the same active ingredient under economic pressure is also a challenge for clinicians to choose. This review presents some basic concepts in using drugs with narrow therapeutic index, some properties of calcineurin inhibitors, bioequivalence requirements for safe and effective clinical use, and pointers to keep in mind when using generic drugs of calcineurin inhibitors for interchangeability and substitution in organ transplantation.

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References

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