INFLUENCE OF BILE ON CYCLOSPORINE ABSORPTION FROM MICROEMULSION FORMULATION IN PRIMARY LIVER-TRANSPLANT RECIPIENTS

We analysed the absorption, after oral application, of a new galenic form of cyclosporin A (CyA-NOF) in liver-grafted patients (n = 12) during the Ist week (days 2-4) after transplantation. Pharmacokinetic profiling was performed with an open or clamped T tube in situ or with the T tube absent. The pharmacokinetic parameters of CyA-NOF were influenced by T tube clamping and bile diversion. The highest AUG, C-max and earliest T values were found in patients without a T-max tube in situ, indicating that absorption of CyA-NOF in patients during the early course after liver transplantation is not bile-independent. CyA-NOF, at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg, was enterally absorbed with appropriate AUC and C-max levels. Patients receiving a starting dose of 7.5 mg/kg were successfully maintained on CyA-NOF during the subsequent clinical course.