Neoral pharmacokinetics in Latino and Caucasian pediatric renal transplantrecipients

Interpopulation variability of drug pharmacokinetics (PK) has been describe d. For example, the systemic clearance of nifedipine is higher in Mexicans than Caucasians. African-Americans have a lower cyclosporine bioavailabilit y than Caucasians. Limited data are available in the Latino population. Und er identical conditions, we compared the PK profile of Neoral (cyclosporine for microemulsion) obtained in stable pediatric renal transplant recipient s of Latino and Caucasian origin. A slightly lower area under the curve (AU C) when corrected for dose per body surface area or per kilogram of body we ight was observed in Caucasians compared with Latinos. This difference was more pronounced in the younger age group (< 12 years) with a higher peak-to -trough ratio. However, the Caucasians required a higher dosage of Neoral t han the Latinos to achieve that same AUG. There was no difference between t he groups in the time (t(max)) to reach maximal concentration (C-max) of Ne oral, A higher apparent clearance of the drug was observed in the Caucasian s compared with the Latinos, especially in the younger age group. No differ ences in pre- and post-dose levels were observed between the two groups. Th ese differences might affect dose adjustment between the two subpopulations .