SURVEY OF CYCLOSPORINE THERAPEUTIC RANGES, ASSAY METHODOLOGY, AND USEOF SPARING AGENTS IN AUSTRALASIAN TRANSPLANT CENTERS

Since its introduction in the 1980s, cyclosporine has become the major immunosuppressive drug used in organ transplantation, Despite widespr ead experience with this ex-pensive agent, a number of controversial i ssues remain. These include the use of sparing agents to allow a lower dose of cyclosporine to be prescribed, specificity of assay method, a nd values quoted as therapeutic ranges. The authors surveyed organ tra nsplant centers in Australia and New Zealand to ascertain local practi ces and found considerable variability in the use and dosage of sparin g agents, cyclosporine assay method, and therapeutic ranges. The impli cations of these differences are discussed.