Vol.18 No.3

Case Report

Efficacy and safety of tacrolimus treatment for rheumatoid arthritis patients undergoing hemodialysis

Authors

Misuzu Yamashita1 , Masamitsu Natsumeda1 , Koji Takasugi1 , Akiko Ueno1 , Kayo Ezawa1 , Kazuhiko Ezawa1

  • Department of Medicine, Kurashiki Kosai Hospital, 5-4-16 Higashiduka, Kurashiki, Okayama, 712-8044, Japan
Received:

2 October 2007

Accepted:

28 December 2007

Published online:

6 March 2008

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Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder characterized by progressive joint destruction that requires aggressive treatment using appropriate diseasemodifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs). RA patients with renal failure, however, are intolerant to most DMARDs due to the potential toxicity. In Japan, tacrolimus was approved for the treatment of RA in 2005. Based on its pharmacokinetics, tacrolimus may be administered to the patients undergoing hemodialysis. We report two cases of RA patients on hemodialysis treated effectively and safely with tacrolimus.

Key words

Chronic renal failure - Hemodialysis - Pharmacokinetics - Rheumatoid arthritis - Tacrolimus