CLINICAL ASPECTS OF CYCLOSPORINE NEPHROTOXICITY

Nephrotoxicity is the most important side effect of cyclosporin therap y. Glomerular filtration rate is reduced in almost all patients and im proves when cyclosporin is discontinued. Longterm studies in renal tra nsplant recipients indicate that there is no progressive loss of renal function in the majority of patients treated with cyclosporin. Simila r results are found in non-transplant recipients treated with low-dose cyclosporin. Approximately 10% of heart and heart-lung transplant pat ients develop a progressive deterioration in renal function which may not respond to stopping cyclosporin therapy.