Impaired Kidney Allograft Function Following Ezetimibe Therapy

Abstract

Although ezetimibe therapy has been shown to be effective in lowering serum cholesterol level, it has not been reported to affect serum cyclosporine level in transplant recipients. Here, we describe a kidney transplant recipient who experienced acute kidney allograft dysfunction after ezetimibe prescription. Our patient showed an increase in serum creatinine level as well as a decrease in serum cyclosporine levels 1 month after taking ezetimibe. This suggests that ezetimibe may interact with cyclosporine and decrease its serum level resulting in allograft dysfunction. In this regard, careful monitoring of kidney function along with the serum cyclosporine level in kidney allograft recipients is recommended when cyclosporine is co-administered with ezetimibe.