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Cyclosporine

The benefical effects of cyclosporine were discovered in Roy Calnes laboratory.

The calcium channel blocker cyclosporine A made a huge impact on the survival of transplants when it was first introduced.

Both cyclosporine and tacrolimus block the calcineurin pathway and cannot be used together.

The older preparation of cyclosporine has been supplanted by cyclosporine-microemulsion which has superior pharmocokinetic properties.

Some of the disadvantages of cyclosporine are hypertrichosis and gingival hypertrophy which makes it unattractive to young ladies.



Adrian P. Ireland 2004-02-17