Tacrolimus is one of the major immunosuppressants commonly used in transplant recipients. Extended-release tacrolimus is expected to have immunosuppressant effects equivalent to standard-release tacrolimus while improving medication compliance. Here we conducted a meta-analysis on the comparison of outcomes of de novo transplant recipients using extended-release tacrolimus versus standard-release tacrolimus. There was no statistical significance between the two groups in the incidence of patient survival at both 6 months (Z=0.40, P=0.79) and 12 months (Z=0.45, P=0.55). No difference was found in the incidence of acute rejection and infection(Z=1.46, P=0.14 and Z=1.37, P=0.17). However, AUC_24h is much lower in once-daily extended-release tacrolimus group (Z=0.44, P<0.05), and the C_max is much higher (Z=0.20, P<0.05). In summary, the current evidence suggests that once-daily extended-release tacrolimus has similar efficacy to twice-daily standard-release tacrolimus as an immunosuppressant but has lower AUC_24h and higher C_max.

CITATION INFORMATION: Gu G, Hang H, Xia Q. Is Once-Daily Extended-Release Tacrolimus Better Than Twice-Daily Standard-Release Tacrolimus? A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Am J Transplant. 2017;17 (suppl 3).

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