title: Cyclosporine and tacrolimus.
abstract: Cyclosporine and tacrolimus are potent immunosuppressant agents that have been used extensively in humans, primarily for prevention of transplant rejection but also for the treatment of autoimmune disorders. Both agents have similar mechanisms of action and pharmacokinetic profiles. However, the expected toxicity of the agents is dissimilar. Although cyclosporine usage in veterinary medicine is limited, it has been used enough for therapeutic guidelines to be established. Tacrolimus, however, has undergone limited use in veterinary medicine. The drug is too toxic in dogs for its use to be recommended in most clinical situations. This article reviews the mechanism of action, pharmacokinetics, expected drug interactions and toxicities, and clinical usage of cyclosporine and tacrolimus in veterinary medicine.
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animal and Special Species Medicine, North Carolina State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Raleigh 27606, USA.
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Vaden
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002415:Cats; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004285:Dogs; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004347:Drug Interactions; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D005921:Glomerulonephritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012871:Skin Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000662:veterinary; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014180:Transplantation / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D016559:Tacrolimus