Immunosuppression in renal transplantation: current status and application in developing countries

Renal transplantation has become the most effective treatment for end stage renal failure. The numbers and survival rates of patients undergoing renal transplantation have increased immensely over the past decade. The use of immunosuppressive drugs has contributed greatly to the success of transplantation. Drugs such as azathioprine, corticosteroids, cyclosporin, FK 506, ATG/ALG and OKT3 are being used in several countries on a daily basis. New drugs and other modalities of immunosuppression are under investigation. This paper reviews these medications with respect to dosing, administration and adverse effects. Drugs being relatively expensive, the use of these drugs in developing counties is discussed.