Learn more about usage, cautions, and possible side effects .
Chemical Name: CYCLOSPORINE (SYE-kloe-spor-een)
This medicine is an immunosuppressive agent used to prevent rejection of organ or bone marrow transplants. It may also be used to treat psoriasis or other conditions as determined by your doctor.
WARNING: Cyclosporine reduces the body's ability to fight illness/disease (immunosuppressant), leaving patients vulnerable to infection or other problems (including cancer). Using additional drugs that treat organ transplant rejection may increase these tendencies. Certain brands of cyclosporine must not be used with other immunosuppressants. Cyclosporine can also cause high blood pressure and kidney problems. The risk of both problems increase with increasing dose and length of therapy. Psoriasis patients who have had certain previous treatments (e.g., PUVA, UVB, coal tar, radiation therapy, methotrexate) are at increased risk to develop cancerous skin growths (malignancies). Therefore, cyclosporine must be given only under close medical supervision. Because different brands deliver different amounts of medicine, do not switch brands of cyclosporine without your doctor's permission. Laboratory tests (e.g., kidney function tests, blood tests) may be performed to monitor your progress. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. INFORM YOUR DOCTOR OR PHARMACIST of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE if you are also taking tacrolimus. ADDITIONAL MONITORING OF YOUR DOSE OR CONDITION may be needed if you are taking amiodarone, amphotericin B, birth control pills, chloroquine, colchicine, dalfopristin, danazol, digoxin, diltiazem, fluconazole, griseofulvin, ketoconazole, macrolide antibiotics, nicardipine, orlistat, quinupristin, rifampin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), St. John's wort, sulfonamides, troglitazone, or medicine for cancer or seizures. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions or concerns about taking this medicine.
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. TAKE THIS MEDICINE at the same time each day. Check with your doctor before you decide to routinely take this medicine with meals. FOLLOW YOUR DOCTOR'S INSTRUCTIONS on how to dilute this medicine. USE A GLASS CONTAINER to mix this medicine. TO IMPROVE THE FLAVOR, this medicine may be mixed with milk, chocolate milk, or orange juice which is at room temperature. AVOID FREQUENTLY SWITCHING THE LIQUID that you use to mix this medicine in. Stir well and drink immediately (do not let it stand before drinking). Rinse glass with more liquid and drink again to make sure the entire dose was taken. DO NOT MIX THIS MEDICINE IN AND DO NOT TAKE IT WITH grapefruit juice. Dry the tip of the dropper with a clean, dry towel and replace cover. DO NOT RINSE the dropper with water or other cleaning agents. STORE THIS MEDICINE at room temperature, away from heat and light. Do NOT refrigerate. Use within 2 months. IF YOU MISS A DOSE OF THIS MEDICINE, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, contact your doctor immediately.
KEEP ALL DOCTOR AND LABORATORY APPOINTMENTS while you are taking this medicine. DO NOT HAVE ANY IMMUNIZATIONS (VACCINATIONS) while you are taking this medicine without checking with your doctor. BEFORE YOU HAVE ANY MEDICAL OR DENTAL TREATMENTS OR SURGERY, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine. BEFORE YOU BEGIN TAKING ANY NEW MEDICINE, either prescription or over-the-counter, check with your doctor or pharmacist. This includes any medicines that contain ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen. DO NOT USE A SALT SUBSTITUTE or other potassium supplement without checking with your doctor. FOR WOMEN: IF YOU PLAN ON BECOMING PREGNANT, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. THIS MEDICINE IS EXCRETED IN BREAST MILK. DO NOT BREAST-FEED while taking this medicine.
SIDE EFFECTS, that may go away during treatment, include increased hair growth, acne, headache, tremors, restlessness, or overgrowth of gums. If they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR AS SOON AS POSSIBLE if you experience increased or decreased urination; seizures; fever; sore throat; unusual bleeding or bruising; diarrhea; nausea; vomiting; eye pain; eye irritation; or visual changes. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your healthcare provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Use our drug interaction checker to find out if your medicines interact with each other. Check drug interactions
If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
DO NOT SHARE THIS MEDICINE with others for whom it was not prescribed. DO NOT USE THIS MEDICINE for other health conditions. KEEP THIS MEDICINE out of the reach of children. IF USING THIS MEDICINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME, obtain refills before your supply runs out. IF YOU NO LONGER NEED THIS MEDICINE, ask your doctor how to properly dispose of it.