Antithymocyte Globulin and Azathioprine Versus Basiliximab and Mycophenolate Mofetil in Living Donor Kidney Transplantation

Kidney transplantation is the best available treatment option for patients with end stage renal disease. However, kidney transplantation requires life-long use of immunosuppressive medication. Because of the high cost of these medications we need to carefully evaluate the cost-effectiveness of each drug regimen, especially in low-middle income countries. The objective of this clinical trial is to compare the efficiency and cost of two immunosuppressive protocols after living donor kidney transplantation: (1) antithymocyte globulin, tacrolimus, azathioprine and prednisolone versus (2) basiliximab, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil and prednisolone.