About cyclosporine
Calcineurin inhibitor immunosuppressant
Used for
- Prevents rejection after organ transplantation.
- Treats severe psoriasis or atopic dermatitis.
- Treats rheumatoid arthritis and certain kidney diseases.
Usual adult dose
Varies by condition and body weight; transplant dosing is specialist-directed and adjusted using blood levels.
Usual dose in children
Used for transplant rejection prevention and some immune conditions; dose is weight-based and specialist-directed.
Common side effects
- Kidney dysfunction and high blood pressure.
- Tremor, headache, or increased hair growth.
- Nausea, diarrhea, or gum overgrowth.
- Increased risk of infections and some cancers.
Important warnings
- Requires monitoring of kidney function, blood pressure, and ciclosporin blood levels.
- Do not substitute formulations without medical supervision; absorption can differ.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice.
- Dose adjustment or extra monitoring may be needed with interacting medicines.
Pregnancy
May be used when necessary under specialist care; risks and benefits require individual assessment.
Breastfeeding
Use is generally not recommended; ciclosporin passes into breast milk and may affect the infant.
Interactions
- Many medicines alter ciclosporin levels, including some antibiotics, antifungals, and seizure medicines.
- Statins may increase muscle injury risk.
- Potassium supplements and some blood pressure medicines may raise potassium or kidney risks.
- Live vaccines may be less effective or unsafe during treatment.
AI-generated from general medical knowledge, not from this product's official leaflet. It may be incomplete or out of date. Not medical advice — ask a pharmacist or doctor before making any decision.