Do you prefer Prograf or Neoral ?

[Gustavo]

Prograf or Neoral ? .
Give me your answer .
Thanks
Gustavo

[Aharon Taus]

Prograf, but taking Liquid Cyclosporine (solution) for inhalation to prevent chronic rejection in conjunction with Azithromycin.

[Gustavo]

In liver we use Prograf to prevent chronic rejection

[Aharon Taus]

Gustavo, which of the two is older?

[Gustavo]

Classic Cyclosporine is older than Tacrolimus but Neoral was marketed here in Argentina almost together with Tacrolimus.

[Gustavo]

(pd: I don´t forget you name in Ward College)

[Aharon Taus]

To my understanding, classic Cyclosporine was probably the only anti rejection drug available during earlier transplant until Tacrolimus and Neoral came into the market. Those who are on Cyclosporine have gotten used to this type of drug over the years. I do not know why most doctors give preference to Prograf over Cyclosporine. I have two questions:
1. Is Prograf more effective and efficient than Cyclosporine?
2. If some one on Prograf can switch to Cyclosporine? and vice versa?

[Kathryn]

Hi Aharon,
Cyclosporine (neoral) tends to be a bit harder to stabilize the levels, particularly in people who have CF and absorption issues. Sandimmune (the liquid) tends to have a finer control on dosing but I only knew one person on that. She was 10 years out when she died about 5 years ago- the fact she lived was amazing since she went into hard BOS at one year out and they thought she would die within months. She had major absorption isssues and she credited Sandimmune for her survival.

[Aharon Taus]

Kathryn,
That's amazing indeed. You mean that the lady was taking Sandimmune liquid orally? I am taking it as inhalation in addition to Prograf.I just hope I am not confusing you.

[Kathryn]

Along with prednisone. I don't recall about imuran. Yes- they used to use the liquid and it tasted terrible, She was a heart-lung out of Stanford.

[Aharon Taus]

Actually, the cyclosporine inhalation solution (liquid) smell like Amonia. It is terribly heavy on the nostrils. Initially, it burns then my throat becomes somewhat bitter and it also burnlike sensation. It is a very heavy solution. It is yellowish oily and it takes hours to evaporate. One must be patient and " sniff it" slowly with several intervals because the vaporazation is very lenty. However, it does helps to prevent chronic rejection.Next Monday I have an appointment with my doctor to evaluate 2 months of continuous use and may be I will discontinue for a while. Who knows?

[Kathryn]

I've never had prograf. I have been on neoral for 12 years.
Kathryn

[John T. Schaeufele]

I have been taking Prograf