Comparison of cyclosporine nephrotoxicity with aminoglycoside nephrotoxicity

Cyclosporine therapy is frequently complicated by dose related nephrotoxicity. In this review, the pharmacology, pathophysiology and clinical features of cyclosporine nephrotoxicity are contrasted with the adverse renal reactions of aminoglycoside antibiotics. From this analysis, it is apparent that these two common nephrotoxins produce renal dysfunction by different mechanisms. Aminoglycosides produce primarily direct toxic effects on the proximal tubular cell while cyclosporine nephrotoxicity is probably predominantly mediated by hemodynamic processes.