Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 23, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
08:38

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS

Published on: November 8, 2015

Population pharmacokinetics of mycophenolate mofetil in Thai lupus nephritis patients

Baralee Punyawudho1, Paungpaga Lertdumrongluk, Poorichaya Somparn

  • 1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.

International Journal of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics
|March 30, 2012
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

This study developed a pharmacokinetic model for mycophenolic acid (MPA) in Thai lupus nephritis patients. High interindividual variability in MPA exposure highlights the need for personalized dosing in this population.

Area of Science:

  • Pharmacology
  • Nephrology
  • Immunosuppression

Background:

  • Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is a first-line treatment for lupus nephritis.
  • Significant pharmacokinetic variability of MPA necessitates careful dosing.
  • Limited data exists on MPA pharmacokinetics in Asian lupus nephritis patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Develop a population pharmacokinetic model for MPA in Thai lupus nephritis patients.
  • Estimate MPA population pharmacokinetic parameters and their variability.
  • Provide a basis for individualized MPA dosing in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Analyzed 112 MPA plasma concentrations from 14 lupus nephritis patients.
  • Utilized NONMEM software for data analysis.
  • Validated the model using bootstrap and visual predictive checks.

Main Results:

  • A two-compartment model with lag time best described MPA pharmacokinetics.
  • Estimated mean apparent clearance (CL/F) was 14.5 l/h (45.2% variability).
  • Estimated mean central volume was 12.2 l (166% variability); no significant covariates identified.

Conclusions:

  • Successfully developed a population pharmacokinetic model for MPA in severe lupus nephritis.
  • Observed high interindividual variability in MPA pharmacokinetics supports personalized dosing.
  • The model can guide MPA dose adjustments in Thai and Asian lupus nephritis patients.

More Related Videos

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice09:43

Analyses of Proteinuria, Renal Infiltration of Leukocytes, and Renal Deposition of Proteins in Lupus-prone MRL/lpr Mice

Published on: June 8, 2022

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway07:15

Mechanism of Kemeng Fang's Inhibition of Podocyte Apoptosis in Rats with Membranous Nephropathy through the PI3K/AKT Signaling Pathway

Published on: August 23, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase01:27

Pharmacogenetics of Phase II Enzymes: N-acetyltransferase, Thiopurine S-methyltransferase, UDP-glucuronosyltransferase

Phase II biotransformation reactions are essential for detoxifying and eliminating xenobiotics, including many pharmaceutical compounds. These reactions typically involve conjugation, the covalent attachment of polar endogenous groups such as glucuronic acid, sulfate, methyl, or acetyl moieties to functional groups introduced during Phase I metabolism. The resulting conjugates are more water-soluble, enabling efficient renal or biliary excretion.The major classes of Phase II enzymes include...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion01:26

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Excretion

In pediatric medicine, understanding the renal function and drug elimination nuances is crucial for administering safe and effective treatments. Newborns, in particular, display markedly slower renal functions than adults, profoundly affecting how drugs are cleared from their bodies. This slower drug clearance requires clinicians to extend the dosing intervals for many medications to prevent drug accumulation and toxicity while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.One key area where these adjustments...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test01:22

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Pathophysiologic Assessment and Liver Function Test

In clinical practice, the direct measurement of hepatic blood flow to evaluate liver function presents significant challenges due to the intricate and specialized nature of the necessary techniques. Consequently, healthcare professionals often rely on empirical estimates derived from thorough patient examinations and liver function tests to gauge liver health. Among the tools at their disposal, the Child–Pugh and MELD scoring systems stand out for their ability to categorize and assess the...
Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug01:14

Effect of Hepatic Disease on Pharmacokinetics: Active Drug, Metabolite and Fraction of Metabolized Drug

In pharmacotherapy, monitoring drug concentrations is paramount, especially for drugs whose therapeutic effects hinge on both the active compound and its metabolite. Hepatic impairment profoundly influences drug potency by altering liver function. If the drug is more potent than its metabolite, impaired liver function amplifies drug activity due to elevated drug concentration levels. Conversely, if the metabolite holds greater potency, diminished liver function diminishes drug activity by...
Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism01:24

Pharmacokinetics in Pediatric Patients: Drug Metabolism

In pediatric care, understanding the nuances of hepatic drug metabolism is crucial, as it significantly differs from that of adults. This divergence is primarily due to the developmental stage of drug-metabolizing enzymes, which affects how medications are processed in the body. In neonates, for instance, the activity of Phase I enzymes—critical for the initial breakdown of drugs—is markedly reduced, functioning at just 20–40% of the levels seen in adults. This reduction poses a challenge in...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Dose Adjustments Based on Drug Clearance and Elimination Rate Constant01:25

Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Dose Adjustments Based on Drug Clearance and Elimination Rate Constant

In patients with renal disease, dosage adjustments are necessary to maintain therapeutic plasma drug concentrations and prevent toxicity or subtherapeutic exposure. Renal impairment alters drug pharmacokinetics, especially in conditions like uremia, where changes such as prolonged elimination half-life and altered apparent volume of distribution can significantly affect drug disposition. These changes require careful modification of the dosing regimen to achieve the desired clinical...