Renal side-effects of cyclosporin A.

Abstract

Cyclosporin A (CyA) has multiple effects on the kidney. The drug can cause changes in either the tubular or vascular system which may be either functional or structural, reversible or irreversible and frequent or seldom. Functional changes to the tubules and vessels are common, occur at low doses and are reversible, while structural changes to the tubules and vessels are rare, occur at high doses and are not always reversible. The changes of importance are vascular. By harnessing two strategies to restrain the development of side-effects--limiting the dose and restricting the functional changes--it is possible to avoid irreversible damage to the kidney in patients treated with CyA.