INFLUENCE OF BILE-ACID REPLACEMENT ON CYCLOSPORINE ABSORPTION IN A PATIENT WITH JEJUNOILEAL BYPASS

Jejunoileal bypass reportedly inhibits the absorption of cyclosporine. In patients with malabsorption syndromes, bile acid replacement has b een given to enhance the absorption of cyclosporine. A candidate for h eart transplantation with New York Heart Association class IV heart fa ilure and a jejunoileal bypass received cyclosporine alone and with co ncomitant ursodiol administration to determine whether therapeutic cyc losporine plasma concentrations would be attainable after heart transp lantation. There were no differences in peak concentration, time to pe ak, area under the serum concentration versus time curve, or bioavaila bility of oral cyclosporine when administered alone or with ursodiol. Plasma cyclosporine concentrations were consistent with those in the g eneral population.