Generic Name: CYCLOSPORINE
Pronunciation: (sye' kloe spor een)
Trade Name(s): Immosol, Imusporin, Panimun Bioral, Sandimmun
Conc, Sandimmun Neoral, Zymmune
Why it is prescribed: Cyclosporine is used to prevent rejection
of kidney, liver, and heart transplants. It also is used investigationally
to prevent rejection problems in bone marrow and other transplants.
When it is to be taken: Cuclosporine is usually taken once
a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.
If you take cyclosporine once a day, take it at the same time
that you do something else each day, such as brushing your teeth
in the morning, to help your remember it.
How it should be taken: Cyclosporine comes in the form
of oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to
take at each dose. A special syringe with markings for measuring
the oral liquid dose is provided. Remove the protective cover
from the syringe and carefully measure the dose. Place the dose
in a glass container and dilute it with milk, chocolate milk,
or orange juice. Cyclosporine has an oily taste, but dilution
improves it. Stir the mixture well and drink it immediately. Do
not allow it to stand. After taking the dose, rinse the glass
with a second portion of just the beverages and drink it to be
sure that you receive the entire dose. Dry the outside of the
syringe with a clean towel after each use and replace the protective
cover. Do not rinse the syringe with water.
Special Instruction:
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory.
Your doctor will want to monitor your response to the cyclosporine,
with frequent visits and blood tests for liver and kidney functions.
2. Your dose probably will be adjusted frequently. Cyclosporine
makes you scratches clean.
3. Use good personal hygiene, particularly for your mouth, teeth,
skin, hair, and hands.
4. Contact your doctor if you develop signs of an infection (e.g.,
fever, sore throat, chills and frequent and painful urination).
5. Contact your doctor immediately if you have decreased urination,
swelling, weight gain, fever, headache, and a general feeling
of illness, discomfort, or lack of energy.
6. When you start to take cyclosporine, ask your doctor what you
should do if you forget a dose. Write these instructions down
so that you can refer to them later. If you miss more than one
dose, contact your doctor.
Side Effects:
1. Nausea, vomiting, Diarrhea, loss of appetite. Take this drug
with food. If these effects persist or become severe, contact
your doctor.
2. Increased hair growth. Use hair removers.
3. Tremors, overgrowth of the gums, breast enlargement, sinusitis.
Contact your doctor.
4. Unusual bleeding or bruising, sore throat, fever, chills, yellowing
of the skin or eyes, seizures. Contact your doctor immediately.
Other Precautions:
1. Before you take cyclosporine, tell your doctor your entire
medical history. Before you take cyclosporine, tell your doctor
what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, particularly
acyclovir, amiloride, amphotericin, azathioprine, diclofenac,
diltiazem, erythromycin, ketoconazole, methotrexate, methylprednisolone,
phenobarbital, phenytoin, prednisolone, rifampin, spironolactone,
and triamterene.
2. If you are pregnant, think that you may be pregnant, or wish
to become pregnant, discuss this matter with your doctor.
3. Cyclosporine is passed from a mother to her unborn baby and
to a breast-fed baby.
4. Do not breast-feed if you take cyclosporine.
5. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Storage Conditions:
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of
the reach of children.
2. Protect it from heat, but do not refrigerate it.
3. Do not keep cyclosporine for more than two months after opening
the container.