The clinical effectiveness and cost effectiveness of immuno-suppressive therapy for renal transplantation

NICE has made the following recommendations about the use of immunosuppressive drugs in adults receiving kidney transplants:

Doctors should consider using basiliximab or daclizumab for induction treatment (immediately after the kidney transplant). These drugs should be used with a combination of other drugs including a calcineurin inhibitor such as ciclosporin. The cheapest one of the two (basiliximab or daclizumab) should be used.

Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor and can be used instead of ciclosporin when a person needs a calcineurin inhibitor as part of their initial or maintenance immunosuppressive treatment after a kidney transplant. The drug (tacrolimus or ciclosporin) that is least likely to have serious side effects in that particular person should be used.

Doctors should consider using mycophenolate mofetil as part of immunosuppressive treatment after kidney transplant only when a person has to stop taking a calcineurin inhibitor, or has to take a lower dose. This could be needed because the calcineurin inhibitor has already damaged the transplanted kidney. It might also be needed for a few weeks or months when there is a high risk that the calcineurin inhibitor would damage the kidney.

Sirolimus should be considered as one of a combination of immunosuppressive drugs, but only for people who cannot use calcineurin inhibitors because of their side effects.

By following these recommendations, doctors would sometimes be using medicines in ways that are not covered by their licences. NICE has reminded doctors that, when this happens, they should explain this to the person involved, and make sure he or she consents to taking the drug.

• Other information

  • TA85 Renal transplantation - immuno-suppressive regimens (adults): guidance (web format)

  NICE Pathways

  This guidance has been incorporated into the following NICE Pathways, along with other related guidance and products.

  Visit the NICE Pathway: chronic kidney disease

  How this guidance was produced

  Background information

  • TA85 Review Decision - August 2010
  • TA85: Review Decision - December 2007
  • Review Proposal – June 2010
  • Assessment report: Clinical and cost effectiveness of immunosuppressive regimens in renal transplantation
  • TA85 Renal transplantation - immuno-suppressive regimens (adults) (review): distribution list
  • 2004/040 Kidney transplant patients to benefit from latest NICE guidance on immunosuppressive therapy
  • Health Technology Assessment Report - immuno-suppressive regimens (adults) (review)
  • Review Proposal - October 2007
  • Appendix A - Matrix of consultees and commentators

Guidance formats

• Web format
• Quick reference guide (PDF)
• Full Guidance (PDF)
• Patient version (PDF)
• TA85 Cyffuriau i atal arennau a drawsblennir rhag cael eu gwrthod mewn oedolion: deall canllawiau NICE

Renal transplantation - immuno-suppressive regimens (adults)

Guideline for patients and carers (PDF)