A PROSPECTIVE RANDOMIZED TRIAL ON AZATHIOPRINE ADDITION TO CYCLOSPORINE VERSUS CYCLOSPORINE MONOTHERAPY AT STEROID WITHDRAWAL, 6 MONTHS AFTER RENAL TRANSPLANTATION

Abstract

Cyclosporine plus azathioprine is more effective than cyclosporine monotherapy in reducing the incidence of acute rejection after steroid withdrawal. Graft loss as a result of chronic rejection, mild in both groups, did not differ. Steroid withdrawal is feasible and advantageous, and the addition of azathioprine allowed 71% of our selected patients to remain steroid-free.