Aim: The aim of this study was to develop a limited sampling strategy (LSS) for the simultaneous estimation of exposure to tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid and unbound prednisolone in adult kidney transplant recipients.
Methods: Tacrolimus, mycophenolic acid and unbound prednisolone area under the concentration-time curve profiles from 0 to 12 h post dose (AUC(0-12)) were collected from 20 subjects. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to develop a LSS enabling the simultaneous estimation of exposure to all three drugs. Median percentage prediction error and median absolute percentage prediction error were calculated via jackknife analysis to evaluate bias and imprecision.
Results: LSS showed superior ability to predict exposure compared with single concentration-time points. A LSS incorporating concentration measurements at 0.5 h (C(0.5)), 2 h (C(2)) and 4 h (C(4)) post dose displayed acceptable predictive ability for all three drugs.
Conclusion: This LSS may serve as a useful research tool for further investigation of the utility of concentration monitoring of these medications.
© 2011 The Authors. Nephrology © 2011 Asian Pacific Society of Nephrology.