THERAPEUTIC DRUG MONITORING OF TACROLIMUS AND CYCLOSPORINE, PHENYTOIN AND VALPROIC ACID

Abstract

Therapeutic drug monitoring is the measurement of specific drugs at intervals in order to maintain a relatively constant concentration of the medication in the bloodstream. The aim of the present study is to determine the therapeutic drug monitoring of Cyclosporine, Tacrolimus, Phenytoin, Valproic Acid in a multi- specialty hospital. The study period was between November 2009 to April 2010. A total of 56 patients were enrolled from both genders, aged 3-75 years over a period of 6 months. In these 56 patients 36 were under tacrolimus treatment, in that 23 were males, 13 were females, 7 patients were under cyclosporine treatment, in that 4 males, 3 females. As well as in anti-epileptics group 7 were under phenytoin treatment (4 males, 3 females), 6 were under valproic acid treatment (5 males, 1 females). In the tacrolimus group (36 patients) 28 were therapeutic range in that 16 were males, 12 were females, and in cyclosporine group (7 patients) 5 were therapeutic range in that 3 were males, 2 females. In tacrolimus group 1 were sub therapeutic range that is also female. In cyclosporine group also 1(female) patient under the therapeutic range. In toxic levels, tacrolimus group were having 7 patients all that patients are males. In cyclosporine group only 1 patient was above therapeutic range.    In conclusion this study reveals the wide interpatient variation of blood and plasma drug levels and the usefulness of carrying out therapeutic drug monitoring of Tacrolimus, cyclosporine and of Phenytoin and valproic acid in renal transplant and epileptic patients respectively.