The Many Faces of Calcineurin Inhibitor Toxicity-What the FK?

Abstract

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs) are both the savior and Achilles' heel of kidney transplantation. Although CNIs have significantly reduced rates of acute rejection, their numerous toxicities can plague kidney transplant recipients. By 10 years, virtually all allografts will have evidence of CNI nephrotoxicity. CNIs have been strongly associated with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and new onset of diabetes after transplantation-significantly contributing to cardiovascular risk in the kidney transplant recipient. Multiple electrolyte derangements including hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, hypercalciuria, metabolic acidosis, and hyperuricemia may be challenging to manage for the clinician. Finally, CNI-associated tremor, gingival hyperplasia, and defects in hair growth can have a significant impact on the transplant recipient's quality of life. In this review, the authors briefly discuss the pharmacokinetics of CNI and discuss the numerous clinically relevant toxicities of commonly used CNIs, cyclosporine and tacrolimus.

Keywords: Calcineurin inhibitors; Cyclosporine; Drug toxicity; Kidney transplantation; Tacrolimus.

Figure 1.. Toxicities of Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus

The calcineurin inhibitors, cyclosporine and tacrolimus, share many toxicities. Some toxicities are more common with or specific to a particular drug.