A new study reported in the Journal of the American Society Nephrology (JASN) found withdrawing calcineurin inhibitors (a drug that prevents organ rejection) may prolong survival rates and save money compared with keeping transplant patient on these medications for life.

The authors wanted to increase patients' benefits while decreasing side effects such as renal dysfunction, cancer, infections and cardiovascular-related events by withdrawing calcineurin inhibitors. Findings indicate calcineurin inhibitor withdrawal does decrease these side effects and is cost effective compared to other commonly used regimens.

This article originally appeared in the July 2008 issue of Kidney Transplant Today.