Tacrolimus once daily (Advagraf) vs twice daily (Prograf) in De Novo renal transplantation: a multicentre, randomized, open label, parallel control phase Ⅲ study / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of twice-daily tacrolimus (Tacrolimus BID; Prograf) vs once-daily prolonged release tacrolimus (Tacrolimus QD; Advagraf), combined with steroids and mycophenolate mofetil in preventing acute rejection in De Novo renal transplantation patients. Methods 241 patients from 11 centers were randomized into two groups with 3 months observation period post-transplantation. Advagraf was administered as a single oral dose in the morning (initially 0. 1-0. 15 mg/kg every day) and Prograf was administered in two equal oral doses 12h apart (initially 0. 1-0. 15 mg/kg). Study visits were scheduled for days 1, 3, 7, 14, 28, 56, 84post-transplantion. The efficacy, safety, compliance and adverse effects were compared between two groups. Results Totally 223 patients completed the study. The two groups were comparable in age,gender and primary disease. There were 12 episodes of acute rejection in each group. There was no graft loss or patient death in both groups. The incidence of drug related adverse events was 32. 1 %and 33. 3% respectively in the control and experimental groups. Dosage was decreased in both groups and there was significant difference in each group. The trough level was similar at the initiate period.Twenty-eight days post-transplantation the trough level in the Advagraf group was lower than in the Prograf group. Conclusion Advagraf has the same efficacy, safety and drug related adverse effects as Prograf. It is practical and feasible for Advagraf substitute for Prograf in clinical practice.