Sirolimus-induced hyperlipidaemia in liver transplant recipients is not dose-dependent.
BACKGROUND
Sirolimus is a potent immunosuppressive medication that acts by inhibiting T-cell proliferation. It has been used in kidney transplantation because of its lack of nephrotoxicity. It is now being investigated in liver transplantation, but there are concerns about safety and long-term side effects such as dyslipidaemia. Hypertriglyceridaemia is a common adverse event seen with sirolimus use, and often does not respond to dose reduction or anti-lipemic drugs.


METHODS
We report six patients who have developed significant hyperlipidaemia while receiving sirolimus, in spite of therapeutic trough levels.


CONCLUSIONS
All six patients showed either resolution or improvement in lipid levels with discontinuation of sirolimus.
Firpi
R J
RJ
Center for Liver Diseases and Transplantation, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA 90048, USA.
Tran
T T
TT
Flores
P
P
Nissen
N
N
Colquhoun
S
S
Shackleton
C
C
Martin
P
P
Vierling
J M
JM
Poordad
F F
FF
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016030:Kidney Transplantation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020123:Sirolimus / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016559:Tacrolimus / Q000627:therapeutic use
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D020123:Sirolimus; D016559:Tacrolimus