Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine is used for:

Preventing the rejection of organ transplants (kidney, liver, and heart). It is used in combination with adrenal corticosteroids. It may also be used to treat chronic rejection in patients previously treated with other immunosuppressive agents. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant. Exactly how Cyclosporine works is not known, but it may block certain white blood cells (lymphocytes).

Do NOT use Cyclosporine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Cyclosporine or to Cremophor EL
• you are taking bosentan, disulfiram, fluorouracil, an immunosuppressant (eg, azathioprine, tacrolimus), metronidazole, orlistat, or a potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, spironolactone)
• you are having radiation therapy for psoriasis
• you are going to be vaccinated with a live vaccine

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Cyclosporine :

Some medical conditions may interact with Cyclosporine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver, kidney, brain, or nerve problems; high blood potassium or uric acid levels; low blood magnesium or cholesterol levels; high blood pressure; cancer; gout; an infection; or have had a recent vaccination
• if your diet contains high amounts of potassium
• if you have a history of seizures
• if you are having phototherapy for psoriasis, or are having radiation treatment

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Cyclosporine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, allergic reactions, asthma, aches and pains, high blood pressure, cancer, gout, diabetes, heartburn, high cholesterol, irregular heartbeat or other heart problems, birth control, Parkinson disease, stomach and intestinal problems, endometriosis, HIV, seizures, blood clotting, weight loss, arthritis, psoriasis, depression, sleep, other conditions), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, St. John's wort) may interact with Cyclosporine . They may increase the risk of side effects or decrease the effectiveness of this or other medicines
• Immunosuppressants (eg, azathioprine, tacrolimus) because the risk of developing an infection or cancer may be increased
• Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone) because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased
• Bosentan because the risk of its side effects and toxic effects may be increased by Cyclosporine
• Disulfiram, fluorouracil, or metronidazole because flushing, headache, fast or irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, nausea, or vomiting may occur
• Orlistat because it may decrease Cyclosporine 's effectiveness

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Cyclosporine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Cyclosporine :

Use Cyclosporine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Cyclosporine is usually given as an injection at your doctor's office, hospital, or clinic. If you will be using Cyclosporine at home, a health care provider will teach you how to use it. Be sure you understand how to use Cyclosporine . Follow the procedures you are taught when you use a dose. Contact your health care provider if you have any questions.
• If you miss a dose of Cyclosporine , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Cyclosporine .

Important safety information:

• Cyclosporine may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Cyclosporine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Do not switch to another doseform or change brands of Cyclosporine without talking to your doctor. Products made by other companies may not work as well for you.
• Cyclosporine may increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Cyclosporine . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time. It may also increase your risk of developing other forms of cancer (eg, lymphoma). Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Cyclosporine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection and may increase the risk of severe infections. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor right away if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
• Some people treated with Cyclosporine have developed severe kidney problems associated with the BK virus infection. Tell your doctor right away if you notice symptoms of kidney problems (eg, change in the amount of urine produced, difficult or painful urination, blood in the urine). In kidney transplant patients, BK virus infection may cause loss of the transplanted kidney. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
• Do not receive a live vaccine (eg, measles, mumps) while you are taking Cyclosporine . Talk with your doctor before you receive any vaccine.
• Cyclosporine may reduce the number of clot-forming cells (platelets) in your blood. Avoid activities that may cause bruising or injury. Tell your doctor if you have unusual bruising or bleeding. Tell your doctor if you have dark, tarry, or bloody stools.
• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Cyclosporine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Diabetes patients - Cyclosporine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including kidney and liver function; cyclosporine levels; and blood pressure, lipids, and electrolytes, may be performed while you use Cyclosporine . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Cyclosporine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Cyclosporine may cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Cyclosporine while you are pregnant. Cyclosporine is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Cyclosporine .

Possible side effects of Cyclosporine :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Acne; dizziness; headache; increased hair growth; nausea; runny nose; sleeplessness; stomach discomfort; vomiting.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; blood in the urine; change in the appearance of a mole; chest pain; confusion; dark urine; diarrhea; fast or irregular heartbeat; flushing of the face, chest, back, or abdomen; gum disease or overgrowth; increased or decreased urination; loss of coordination; mental or mood changes; muscle cramps; numbness or tingling of the skin; seizures; severe or persistent headache or dizziness; shortness of breath; symptoms of infection (eg, chills, cough, fever, painful urination, sore throat); tremors; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual lumps; unusual thickening or growth on the skin; unusual tiredness or weakness; vision changes; wheezing; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately.

Cyclosporine is usually handled and stored by a health care provider. If you are using Cyclosporine at home, store Cyclosporine as directed by your pharmacist or health care provider. Keep Cyclosporine , as well as syringes and needles, out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Cyclosporine , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Cyclosporine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Cyclosporine . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.