Table 1

Summary of pharmacokinetic parameters of prolonged-release tacrolimus administered as a suspension orally and via nasogastric tube compared with oral administration of intact capsules

Mode of prolonged-release tacrolimus administration (10 mg)*Ratio of least-squares means (90% CI)
Intact capsule (oral) (n=20)Suspension (oral) (n=20)Suspension (nasogastric tube) (n=20)Suspension (oral)—
intact capsule
Suspension (nasogastric tube)—intact capsule
AUC0–∞ (ng.h/mL)334 (28.0)350 (29.6)277 (31.4)1.05 (0.96 to 1.14)0.83 (0.76 to 0.92)
AUC0–tz (ng.h/mL)318 (27.0)333 (29.4)263 (31.1)1.05 (0.96 to 1.14)0.83 (0.76 to 0.92)
Cmax (ng/mL)15.7 (28.4)20.4 (31.3)20.9 (22.6)1.30 (1.16 to 1.45)1.28 (1.13 to 1.45)
Tmax (h)†2.0 (1.0–3.0)1.0 (0.5–1.0)0.5 (0.5–1.0)−1.0 (−1.25 to −0.75)−1.5 (−1.50 to −0.75)
T½ (h)33.2 (13.4)33.2 (14.6)34.0 (12.2)1.00 (0.97 to 1.03)1.01 (0.98 to 1.05)
  • All tests were two-sided and used the 5% level of significance.

  • *Geometric mean (CV%) are presented.

  • †Tmax is presented as median (range).

  • AUC0–∞, area under the concentration–time curve from time 0 to infinity post-tacrolimus dose; AUC0–tz, AUC measured up to the last quantifiable concentration of tacrolimus; Cmax, maximum observed concentration; CV, coefficient of variation; Tmax, time to maximum concentration; T½, elimination half-life of tacrolimus.