Renal transplantation in an HIV-infected patient: Pharmacokinetic aspects

Abstract

The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in the mid-1990s led to a dramatic reduction in mortality and progression to AIDS, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection has now turned into a chronic disease with improved survival and prognosis. Hence, patients with well-controlled HIV infection are no longer prevented from receiving transplants, but treatment must be based on knowledge of pharmacokinetics for the drugs involved. The common approach measuring the cyclosporine level after 2 h or trough level is misleading and it was necessary to determine the area under the curve.

Key Words::

• AUC measurement
• HIV infection
• pharmacokinetics
• renal transplantation

Declaration of interest: Alex Lund Laursen is a member of the GSK advisory board and Kaj Anker Jørgensen is a member of the Astellas advisory board.