Tacrolimus (Page 5 of 16)

Liver Transplantation

There were two randomized comparative liver transplant trials. In the U.S. trial, 263 adult and pediatric patients received tacrolimus and steroids and 266 patients received cyclosporine-based immunosuppressive regimen (CsA/AZA). The trial population had a mean age of 44 years (range 0.4 to 70), the distribution was 52% male, and the composition was White (78%), African-American (5%), Asian (2%), Hispanic (13%), and Other (2%). In the European trial, 270 patients received tacrolimus and steroids and 275 patients received CsA/AZA. The trial population had a mean age of 46 years (range 15 to 68), the distribution was 59% male, and the composition was White (95.4%), Black (1%), Asian (2%), and Other (2%).

The proportion of patients reporting more than one adverse event was > 99% in both the tacrolimus group and the CsA/AZA group. Precautions must be taken when comparing the incidence of adverse reactions in the U.S. trial to that in the European trial. The 12-month post-transplant information from the U.S. trial and from the European trial is presented below. The two trials also included different patient populations and patients were treated with immunosuppressive regimens of differing intensities. Adverse reactions reported in ≥ 15% in tacrolimus patients (combined trial results) are presented below for the two controlled trials in liver transplantation.

The most common adverse reactions (≥ 40%) observed in tacrolimus treated liver transplant patients are: tremor, headache, diarrhea, hypertension, nausea, abnormal renal function, abdominal pain, insomnia, paresthesia, anemia, pain, fever, asthenia, hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, and hyperglycemia. These all occur with oral and IV administration of Tacrolimus and some may respond to a reduction in dosing (e.g., tremor, headache, paresthesia, hypertension). Diarrhea was sometimes associated with other gastrointestinal complaints such as nausea and vomiting. Based on reported adverse reactions terms related to decreased renal function, nephrotoxicity was reported in approximately 40% and 36% of liver transplantation patients receiving tacrolimus in the U.S. and European randomized trials.

Table 7. Liver Transplantation: Adverse Reactions Occurring in ≥ 15% of Patients Treated with Tacrolimus

U.S . TRIAL EUROPEAN TRIAL
Tacrolimus (N=250) C yclosporine/AZA (N=250) T acrolimus (N=264) Cyclosporine /AZA (N=265 )
Nervous System
Headache 64% 60% 37% 26%
Insomnia 64% 68% 32% 23%
Tremor 56% 46% 48% 32%
Paresthesia 40% 30% 17% 17%
Gastrointestinal
Diarrhea 72% 47% 37% 27%
Nausea 46% 37% 32% 27%
LFT Abnormal 36% 30% 6% 5%
Anorexia 34% 24% 7% 5%
Vomiting 27% 15% 14% 11%
Constipation 24% 27% 23% 21%
Cardiovascular
Hypertension 47% 56% 38% 43%
Urogenital
Kidney Function Abnormal 40% 27% 36% 23%
Creatinine Increased 39% 25% 24% 19%
BUN Increased 30% 22% 12% 9%
Oliguria 18% 15% 19% 12%
Urinary Tract Infection 16% 18% 21% 19%
Metabolic and Nutritional
Hypomagnesemia 48% 45% 16% 9%
Hyperglycemia 47% 38% 33% 22%
Hyperkalemia 45% 26% 13% 9%
Hypokalemia 29% 34% 13% 16%
Hemic and Lymphatic
Anemia 47% 38% 5% 1%
Leukocytosis 32% 26% 8% 8%
Thrombocytopenia 24% 20% 14% 19%
Miscellaneous
Pain 63% 57% 24% 22%
Abdominal Pain 59% 54% 29% 22%
Asthenia 52% 48% 11% 7%
Fever 48% 56% 19% 22%
Back Pain 30% 29% 17% 17%
Ascites 27% 22% 7% 8%
Peripheral Edema 26% 26% 12% 14%
Respiratory System
Pleural Effusion 30% 32% 36% 35%
Dyspnea 29% 23% 5% 4%
Atelectasis 28% 30% 5% 4%
Skin and Appendages
Pruritus 36% 20% 15% 7%
Rash 24% 19% 10% 4%

Table 8. Pediatric Liver Transplantation: Adverse Reactions Occurring in > 10% of Patients Treated with Tacrolimus Granules (STUDY 01-13)

Tacrolimus Granules (N=91) Cyclosporine (N=90)
Body as a Whole
Fever 46% 51%
Infection 25% 29%
Sepsis 22% 20%
CMV Infection 15% 24%
EBV Infection 26% 11%
Ascites 17% 20%
Peritonitis 12% 7%
Cardiovascular System
Hypertension 39% 47%
Digestive System
Liver Function Tests Abnormal 37% 28%
Diarrhea 26% 26%
Vomiting 15% 13%
Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage 11% 12%
Bile Duct Disorder 12% 8%
Gastroenteritis 12% 4%
Hemic and Lymphatic System
Anemia 29% 19%
Metabolic and Nutritional Disorders
Hypomagnesemia 40% 29%
Acidosis 26% 17%
Hyperkalemia 12% 10%
Respiratory System
Pleural Effusion 22% 19%
Bronchitis 11% 8%
Urogenital System
Kidney Function Abnormal 13% 14%

Less frequently observed adverse reactions in liver transplantation patients are described under the subsection “Less Frequently Reported Adverse Reactions (> 3% and < 15%) in Liver, Kidney, and Heart Transplant Studies”

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