The use of calcineurin inhibitors (CNIs; cyclosporine and tacrolimus) has dramatically
increased medium-term life expectancy after heart transplantation but has had only limited
impact on long-term outcomes for heart transplant recipients. The original oil-based
formulation of cyclosporine has been superceded by a microemulsion formulation (Neoral),
which has more predictable pharmacokinetics and allows more precise dose-tailoring.
Cyclosporine microemulsion and tacrolimus (Prograf) have a similar efficacy in the …