Does H2-receptor antagonist alter the renal function of cyclosporine-treated kidney grafts?

Histamine-type 2 antagonists (H₂-blockers) as represented by cimentidine have been shown to adversely affect renal allograft function, particularly when coadministered with cyclosporine, currently a major immunosuppressant. To determine whether or not a newer and more powerful H₂-blocker, famotidine, would produce similar adverse effects, we assessed seven cyclosporine-treated renal allograft recipients with regard to changes in their renal function on or off the H₂-blocker over a one-week period. Neither the administration nor withdrawal of famotidine (20–40 mg/day) resulted in any significant changes in serum creatine, BUN, urine output or cyclosporine trough levels, suggesting that famotidine can be safely administered as an H₂-blocker to cyclosporine-treated renal allograft recipients.