Ketoconazole-tacrolimus coadministration in kidney transplant recipients: two-year results of a prospective randomized study.

Background/aims: In developing countries, kidney transplantation is greatly hindered by financial problems, especially due to costly newer immunosuppressive medications. Ketoconazole increases blood levels of tacrolimus and cyclosporine through inhibition of cytochrome P450 microsomal enzymes. We previously reported on the 6-month safety and the outstanding impact on treatment costs of the ketoconazole-tacrolimus combination in kidney transplant recipients. Data of this combination are still lacking in the literature. We hereby report on the 2-year results of our trial.

Methods: This prospective, randomized study included 70 live-donor kidney transplant recipients receiving tacrolimus (age 16-45 years, 54 males and 16 females). Patients were randomized into two equal groups: group 1, where ketoconazole 100 mg/day was added, and group 2 (control group).

Results: After 2 years, group 1 (ketoconazole) patients still showed a highly significant reduction of the tacrolimus dose (by 53.8%) and cost (by 52.9%) compared with the control group (p < 0.001) and a significant improvement in graft function in comparison to their own initial graft function (p = 0.002). Throughout the 2 years, no side effects of ketoconazole were noted.

Conclusion: We conclude that the long-term ketoconazole-tacrolimus combination therapy in kidney transplant recipients during the 2 years is safe, has an outstanding impact on treatment costs and improves graft outcome.