Periactin (cyproheptadine hydrochloride) as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment in human cadaver kidney transplantation.

The effect of Periactin on the rejection course was examined in 36 kidney allograft recipients. Half of the patients were given 32 mg of Periactin daily as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment consisting of prednisone and azathioprine. The other half was given only the latter two medicaments. Rejection crises were treated with intravenous infusion with methylprednisolone. No beneficial effect of the Periactin treatment was demonstrable. Graft survival and kidney functions thus did not differ between the two groups within the first 90 days after the transplantation. The frequency of rejection, on the other hand, was significantly higher in the group treated with Periactin, especially within the first postoperative week. Periactin, apparently, does not offer any advantage as a supplement to the immunosuppressive treatment in human kidney transplantation.