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Article
Generic Immunosuppressants
Pediatric Nephrology
  • Mara Medeiros, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México
  • Julia Lumini, University of Waterloo
  • Noah Stern, Western University
  • Gilberto Castañeda-Hernández, Entro de Investigacion y Estudios Avanzados IPN
  • Guido Filler, Western University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
7-1-2018
URL with Digital Object Identifier
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00467-017-3735-z
Disciplines
Abstract

Immunosuppressive drugs for solid organ transplantation are critical dose drugs with a narrow therapeutic index. Many of the most commonly used innovator drugs are off patent and have been replicated by generic counterparts, often at substantial cost-savings to the patient. However, serious adverse events caused by the transition from innovator to generic medications, specifically in pediatric solid organ transplant recipients, have questioned these autosubstitutions. The purpose of this review is to summarize the criteria set forth by the regulatory bodies, and to examine how major immunosuppressive drugs conform to these recommendations. Regulatory bodies have established inconsistent criteria to demonstrate bioequivalence between innovator and generic medications, causing approved generic variations to have varying levels of equivalence with the innovator drugs. In order to minimize the risk for under-immunosuppression, the following recommendations have been concluded. Brand prescribing of cyclosporine and tacrolimus are recommended due to evidence of adverse events after conversion to generic formulations and differences in dissolution parameters. Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) shows better bioequivalence between innovator and generic formulations, however caution should be advised when switching between formulations. The institution of 'innovator only' policies may be appropriate at this time in order to minimize the risk of under-immunosuppressing patients until the evidence of more stringent bioequivalence has been established.

Citation Information
Mara Medeiros, Julia Lumini, Noah Stern, Gilberto Castañeda-Hernández, et al.. "Generic Immunosuppressants" Pediatric Nephrology Vol. 33 Iss. 7 (2018) p. 1123 - 1131
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/guido-filler/59/