ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Candesartan cilexetil is a possible treatment for hypertension in renal allograft recipients. Tacrolimus is widely used as an immunosuppressant following renal transplantation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of multiple doses of candesartan cilexetil on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus. METHODS: Twelve patients received oral doses of tacrolimus twice daily for 12 days from study day -2 until day 10, single oral doses of candesartan cilexetil placebo on study days -2 to -1, single oral doses of 2 mg candesartan cilexetil once daily on study days 1 to 3, oral doses of 4 mg candesartan cilexetil once daily on study days 4 to 6, and oral doses of 16 mg candesartan cilexetil once daily on study days 7 to 9. Serial blood samples were collected on days -1, 6 and 9 and were analysed for tacrolimus using microparticle enzyme immunoassay. RESULTS: Mean C(max,ss) and AUC(tau,ss) values for tacrolimus on day 6 (4 mg candesartan) and day 9 (16 mg candesartan cilexetil) were similar to those on day -1 (tacrolimus alone). Renal function did not change under treatment with candesartan cilexetil compared with baseline. The co-administration of multiple oral doses of cardesartan cilexetil with oral doses of tacrolimus was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Concomitant administration of multiple doses of candesartan cilexetil does not alter the steady-state pharmacokinetics of tacrolimus.
Subject(s)
Antihypertensive Agents/pharmacology , Benzimidazoles/pharmacology , Biphenyl Compounds/pharmacology , Hypertension/drug therapy , Immunosuppressive Agents/pharmacokinetics , Kidney Transplantation , Tacrolimus/pharmacokinetics , Tetrazoles/pharmacology , Administration, Oral , Adult , Antihypertensive Agents/administration & dosage , Antihypertensive Agents/therapeutic use , Benzimidazoles/administration & dosage , Benzimidazoles/therapeutic use , Biological Availability , Biphenyl Compounds/administration & dosage , Biphenyl Compounds/therapeutic use , Blood Pressure/drug effects , Creatinine/analysis , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Interactions , Female , Graft Rejection/prevention & control , Humans , Hypertension/metabolism , Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage , Immunosuppressive Agents/therapeutic use , Male , Metabolic Clearance Rate , Middle Aged , Tacrolimus/administration & dosage , Tacrolimus/therapeutic use , Tetrazoles/administration & dosage , Tetrazoles/therapeutic useABSTRACT
Pain related to the insertion of intravenous catheters is a major issue for many patients. This study investigated differences in pain on insertion for three different catheters - Optiva 1, Biovalve and Venflon 2 - as assessed by 100 volunteers. Clinicians also assessed a variety of parameters related to their overall ease of use. This study demonstrates that Optiva 2 can offer significant benefits for both patient and clinician. Pain on insertion was significantly lower with Optiva 2 than with Venflon 2, but comparable with Biovalve. Ease of insertion and flashback were significantly better for Optiva 2 than for Venflon 2, but similar to Biovalve. For the parameters 'ease of catheter advancement' and 'overall ease of use', the operators rated Optiva 2 significantly better than Biovalve and Venflon 2.
