Tacrolimus (FK506), Blood (LC/MS-MS)

Additional Information:

Specimens from patients who have circulating human antimouse (HAMA) as a result of having received mouse monoclonal antibodies may give falsely elevated or depressed results in this assay.

CPT Code(s):

80197

Specimen Requirements:

  • Container- Lavender top
  • Specimen Type- Whole blood
  • Minimum volume - 1 ml
  • Storage/stability - Refrigerated (2 - 8°C): 14 days
  • Epic order code: Lab876

Use:

Tacrolimus is an immunosuppressive drug that is believed to prevent rejection in transplantation patients. Measurement of tacrolimus blood levels may be of use in monitoring patients receiving this drug.

Methodology:

Liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS-MS).

Reference Values:

Clinical studies have shown that patients administered 0.07 mg/kg Prograf® obtain an optimal response to the drug at the following trough levels:
Trough (immediately following transplant): 15.0 ng/mL
Trough (steady-state, two weeks or more after transplant): 3.0−8.0 ng/mL