Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 12, 2026

Quantification of the Immunosuppressant Tacrolimus on Dried Blood Spots Using LC-MS/MS
Published on: November 8, 2015
Analysis of tacrolimus blood concentrations in renal transplant patients
1Department of Pharmacy, The 401st Hospital of Chinese People's Liberation Army, Qingdao, China.
Abstract:
This study aimed to 1) analyze the results of tacrolimus blood concentration monitored in patients after renal transplantation, 2) observe and establish an optimal therapeutic window for patients, and 3) provide evidence for the clinical and rational use of drugs. Tacrolimus blood concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. A total of 1824 cases were obtained from the monitoring of 74 patients after renal transplantation. These cases were then retrospectively analyzed. Over time, the mean whole blood tacrolimus trough concentration after transplantation gradually decreased. This result suggests that the optimal therapeutic windows for patients with renal transplants are as follows: 5 to 20 μg/L at 1 month after surgery; 5 to 15 μg/L at 1-3 months after surgery; 4 to 12 μg/L at 3-6 months after surgery; 4 to 10 μg/L at 6-12 months after surgery; and 3 to 8 μg/L at >12 months after surgery. The absorption of tacrolimus is highly variable. Therefore, tacrolimus concentration in the blood and the recommended clinical therapeutic window should be routinely monitored to adjust the treatment regimen and reduce adverse reactions. In this way, treatment can be optimized.
Related Concept Videos
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Measurement of Serum Creatinine Concentration and Clearance
Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Drug Analysis Methods
Determination of Multiple Dosing Parameters: Steady-State, Minimum and Maximum Concentrations
Renal Drug Clearance: Comparison Between Renal Excretion Methods
Renal clearance is often associated with the renal glomerular filtration rate (GFR), which represents the rate at which plasma is filtered through the glomeruli in the kidney. When drug reabsorption is minimal and there is no active secretion, renal clearance is closely related to the...
Drug Dosing in Renal Diseases: Dose Adjustments Based on Drug Clearance and Elimination Rate Constant
Renal Drug Excretion: Tubular Secretion

