Effect of topical 0.02% tacrolimus aqueous suspension on tear production in dogs with keratoconjunctivitis sicca

Abstract

Twice daily administration of 0.02% tacrolimus in aqueous suspension effectively increased tear production in dogs with KCS. Topical tacrolimus is a promising alternative to topical CsA for treatment of KCS and may be beneficial in patients with less than optimal response to topical CsA.

Comparative clinical evaluation of tacrolimus and cyclosporine eye drops for the treatment of canine keratoconjunctivitis sicca

“…Furthermore, the authors observed 51% efficacy of tacrolimus in patients either entirely unresponsive to cyclosporine or showing only very weak response to the drug. In the present study, tacrolimus was also observed to be more effective than cyclosporine, confirming the results obtained by Berdoulay et al (2005). In the course of a two-month therapy, an increase in STT I results of 5 mm/min or more was observed in 21 out of 37 conjunctival sacs in the group of dogs treated with tacrolimus, compared to 15 out of 38 conjunctival sacs in the group treated with cyclosporine.…”

“…In the present study, 0.02% tacrolimus was administered twice daily and its efficacy was compared to 0.75% cyclosporine administered in the standard dosage, three times a day. The concentration and frequency of tacrolimus administration were in line with the results obtained by Berdoulay et al (2005).…”

“…A greater increase in STT values was observed after administering 1% pimecrolimus when compared to 0.2% cyclosporine (Ofri et al, 2009). In a short-term study conducted by Berdoulay et al (2005) it was reported that in patients suffering from KCS and successfully treated with cyclosporine, it was possible to replace the preparation with tacrolimus and maintain the same results. Furthermore, the authors observed 51% efficacy of tacrolimus in patients either entirely unresponsive to cyclosporine or showing only very weak response to the drug.…”

“…It is also important to notice that high efficacy of the tested preparations was also demonstrated in patients with advanced clinical symptoms of the disease. In an earlier study by Berdoulay et al (2005), the researchers reported a significant reduction of exudation and reduced conjunctival redness after administering tacrolimus. Moreover, the authors observed improvement in terms of these symptoms also in a group of patients previously unsuccessfully treated with cyclosporine.…”

“…Its immunomodulatory effect is similar to that of CsA (Kino et al, 1987;Kilmartin et al, 1998). Berdoulay et al (2005) used a 0.02% water solution of tacrolimus, administered twice daily, in the treatment of 105 dogs suffering from KCS. Animals qualified for the study were dogs that had not undergone prior stimulation of tear secretion, dogs successfully treated with cyclosporine, as well as animals for whom cyclosporine treatment proved ineffective.…”