Which calcineurin inhibitor is preferred in renal transplantation: tacrolimus or cyclosporine?

Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are potent inhibitors of the calcineurin-depend ent cytokine synthesis in activated lymphocytes. In renal transplant patien ts tacrolimus is more powerful in preventing severe and refractory rejectio ns, even when compared with the new cyclosporine microemulsion formulation. Both drugs are equally nephrotoxic, but tacrolimus induces less hypertensi on and less pronounced hyperlipidaemia, Especially in some categories of pa tients, a higher incidence of de-novo diabetes mellitus is seen with tacrol imus therapy. Curr Opin Nephrol Hypertens 8:669-674. (C) 1999 Lippincott Wi liiams & Wilkins.