Results of conversion from cyclosporine to azathioprine in cadaveric renal transplantation.

Between December 1983 and August 1985, 110 cadaver transplants were performed at our institution. All were started on cyclosporine (CsA) and prednisone (P) for immunosuppressive therapy. Of the 110 patients, 46 were converted from CsA to azathioprine (AZA) for a variety of reasons (cost, toxicity, patient preference, prolonged dysfunction posttransplant, or nonresponsive rejection). The course and outcome of these patients are described. The only group of patients who had consistent benefit and stable course following the CsA-to-AZA switch were primary cadaver transplants with stable renal function (serum creatinine less than 2 mg/dl) who were converted an average of 7.97 months posttransplant. All other groups of patients had severe problems or graft loss postconversion.