Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 14, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Tacrolimus in rheumatoid arthritis
Roy Fleischmann1, Imran Iqbal, Richard L Stern
1University of Texas Southwestern Medical Centre at Dallas, USA. royfleischmann@radiantresearch.com
Abstract:
Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug that has been used widely in organ transplantation and topically for atopic dermatitis. Tacrolimus exerts its immunosuppressive effects by the inhibition of calcineurin, leading to interference with T-cell activation. As T-cell activation plays a major role in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis, there has been an interest in the use of tacrolimus for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis. The pharmacological properties of tacrolimus have the potential of suppressing the production of inflammatory cytokines, improvement of joint inflammation, improvement of bone and cartilage destruction, improvement of functional status and relief from arthritic pain. This article reviews the pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics, clinical efficacy, safety and role of tacrolimus in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.
Related Concept Videos
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Immunomodulatory Agents
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Glucocorticoids
Drugs for Treatment of Crohn's Disease in IBD Using Biologic Agents: Anti-TNF
T Cell Types and Functions
Th1 cells stimulate dendritic cells to express necessary co-stimulatory molecules on their surfaces for...
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Affecting Factors
Rheumatic Heart Disease III: Medical Management