Tacrolimus

Q; What is the oral to the intravenous (IV) conversion of tacrolimus?


Answer: One-third to one-fifth

Whenever post-transplant patients get admitted to ICU, their anti-rejection meds (immunosuppressant) should be continued unless there is a contraindication. Tacrolimus is one of the most commonly used immunosuppressants. 

If a patient can't take oral form, the IV dose conversation is equal to one-third to one-fifth of the oral daily dose. Another important point is to administer it as a continuous infusion over 24 hours.

It is to remember that now a sublingual form of tacrolimus is available also.

#transplantation
#pharmacology


Reference: 

1. Prograf - https://www.astellas.us/docs/prograf.pdf 

2. Catherine A. Pennington, M.S., Pharm.D., BCPS Jeong M. Park, M.S., Pharm.D., BCPS Sublingual tacrolimus as an alternative to oral administration for solid organ transplant recipients American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, Volume 72, Issue 4, 15 February 2015, Pages 277–284