Tacrolimus levels for adult liver transplant recipients
Tacrolimus levels for adult liver transplant recipients
Time posttransplant
Target tacrolimus trough level
0 to 4 weeks
8 to 12 ng/mL
4 to 12 weeks
6 to 10 ng/mL
Beyond 12 weeks
5 to 8 ng/mL
The approach to tacrolimus dosing is generally informed by the time posttransplant, patient characteristics (eg, etiology of liver disease), and transplant center protocol. We use drug trough levels to titrate the tacrolimus dose. We typically target higher drug levels earlier in the posttransplant course and adjust the target drug concentration levels as the duration of time after transplant increases. Target drug levels also vary by transplant center protocol and by individual patient. Refer to UpToDate content on the pharmacology, dosing, and safety of tacrolimus for additional details.