Cyclosporin-erythromycin interaction in renal transplant patients

1. The interaction between cyclosporin (CyA) and erythromycin was studied in renal transplant patients following oral and intravenous administration of CyA. 2. Blood and plasma CyA concentrations and blood concentrations of metabolite 17 were measured by h.p.l.c. 3. Erythromycin produced almost a two-fold increase in bioavailability, from 36% to 60%; with a small (13%) decrease in clearance of CyA. 4. The metabolite 17 data further support the postulate that erythromycin increases the absorption of CyA rather than inhibits its metabolism, as generally believed.