Extent of use of generics immunosuppressive drugs in clinical practice after lung transplantation

Solid organ transplant recipients are treated with immunosuppressive drugs to prevent rejection of their grafts. The most frequently important maintenance immunosuppressive drugs in Europe are calcineurin inhibitors.

For a number of these compounds drug patents have expired in recent years and generic formulations have entered the market. There is considerable debate regarding the efficacy and safety of generic drug substitution in solid organ recipients.

Inclusion Criteria:

• patients after lung transplantation (single, double or combined)
• informed consent
• patient with an immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus or ciclosporin

Exclusion Criteria:

• immunosuppressive therapy without calcineurin inhibitors
• need for isolation (Colonization with multi. or pan resistant organisms e.g. methicillin-resistant staph. aureus[MRSA), B. cenocepacia)
• limited German language skills or other reasons which might impair patient communication or computer handling](streamdown:incomplete-link)

patients after lung transplantation (single, double or combined) with an immunosuppressive therapy with tacrolimus or ciclosporin