Improved ability to achieve target trough levels with liquid versus capsule tacrolimus in kidney transplant patients with HIV on protease inhibitor‐ or cobicistat‐based regimens

HIV + patients are commonly accepted for kidney transplantation. However, patients on protease inhibitor (PI)‐ or cobicistat (cobi)‐based regimens have trouble achieving optimal tacrolimus (Tac) levels. Our study compared the ability to achieve target levels using liquid versus immediate‐release capsule Tac in kidney transplant patients with HIV on PI‐ or cobi‐based regimens. The study included four kidney transplant patients who were converted to liquid Tac due to inability to achieve acceptable drug levels on the capsule formulation. Tac trough levels were analyzed retrospectively to compare target levels before and after conversion. The individual patient time in the therapeutic range (TTR) was calculated using Rosendaal's linear interpolation method, and the difference between before and after conversion TTR was determined. In combined data, 44.63% of all Tac trough levels were within the target range after conversion to liquid Tac compared to 22.07% prior to conversion (P