Tacrolimus/Everolimus Versus Tacrolimus/Enteric-Coated Mycophenolate Sodium

Tacrolimus dosing (rTd) is planned, 0.1 mg/kg PO BID - beginning when serum Cr decreases to a level of \<4 mg/dl (i.e., acceptable renal transplant function) postoperatively. Target tacrolimus trough levels during the first year post-transplant and thereafter will be 5-8 ng/ml.

Everolimus initiated at 0.75 PO BID and will be adjusted in order to achieve target everolimus trough levels of 3-8 ng/ml.

EC-MPS 720 mg PO BID - beginning on 1st postoperative day.

Corticosteroids will be given as per our center protocol, i.e., a bolus of 500 mg of Methylprednisolone intravenously at surgery and daily x2, followed by 1.0 mg/kg, then 0.5 mg/kg orally until weaned off completely by 7-10 days postoperatively - the plan is for corticosteroids to be discontinued by 7-10 days postoperatively in both groups.