Cyclosporine or ciclosporin is an immunosuppressant drug that is used to reduce the risk of the body's rejection response to the organ transplant process.
Ciclosporin can also be used to treat psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, severe atopic dermatitis, and nephrotic syndrome. Cyclosporine can only be used by prescription.
Ciclosporin works by decreasing the response of the immune system (the immune system), thereby reducing inflammation and preventing the immune system from attacking the transplanted organ. This drug is available in capsule, syrup, or injectable form.
Ciclosporin trademark: Cipol-N, Imusporin, Sandimmun, and Sandimmun Neoral.
What's that Ciclosporin?
| group | Immunosuppressants |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Reducing the risk of body rejection of the graft organ (transplant), treat nephrotic syndrome, atopic dermatitis, and treat autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis |
| Consumed by | Adults and children |
| Ciclosporin for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. The drug should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Cyclosporine can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without telling your doctor. |
| Drug form | Capsules, syrups and injections |
Warnings Before Using Ciclosporin:
- Do not use ciclosporin if you have a history of allergies to this drug.
- Do not use this medicine if you are undergoing phototherapy, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or are taking methotrexate.
- Do not vaccinate with live vaccines, while using ciclosporin.
- During treatment with ciclosporin, do not have direct contact with people with infectious diseases that are easily contagious, such as the flu, because this can increase the risk of contracting the infection.
- Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease, uncontrolled hypertension, cancer, liver disease, infectious disease, hypercholesterolemia, or an electrolyte imbalance, such as hypomagnesaemia or hyperkalemia.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking certain medicines, including supplements and herbal remedies, especially those containing potassium.
- Do not consume alcohol, drive a motor vehicle, or operate machinery and heavy equipment, after using ciclosporin.
- Avoid being in the sun, using UV lamps, or doing tanning skin, when using ciclosporin
- See your doctor right away if you have an allergic reaction or overdose after using ciclosporin.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Ciclosporin
Ciclosporin is only given by a doctor. The dose will be adjusted according to the type of disease, age, and the patient's body response to treatment. The following is an explanation of the ciclosporin dosage:
Condition: Immunosuppressants during organ transplant
Drug form: Injection
- Mature
Dosage: 5–6 mg/kgBW per day given by infusion for 2–6 hours, then followed by the use of oral drugs.
Medicine form: Capsule
- Mature
Initial dose: 10-15 mg/kg body weight per day, given 4-12 hours before surgery.
Maintenance dose: 2–6 mg/kg per day.
Condition: Severe psoriasis and atopic dermatitis (atopic eczema)
Medicine form: Capsule
- goda
Maximum dose: 5 mg/kg body weight per day, for 6 weeks.
Condition: Rheumatoid arthritis
Medicine form: Capsule
- Mature
Maximum dose: 4 mg/kg body weight per day.
Condition: nephrotic syndrome
Drug form: Capsule or syrup
- MatureDosage: 5 mg/kg body weight per day which is divided into 2 doses.
- ChildrenDosage: 3–6 mg/kgBW per day divided into 2 doses
Condition: Treatment after bone marrow transplant
Drug form: Injectable
- Mature
Follow-up dose: 3-5 mg/kg for a maximum of 2 weeks.
Medicine form: Capsule
- Mature
Maintenance dose: 12.5 mg/kg body weight per day for 3–6 months. This dose is given after a further dose of injection preparations.
How to Use Ciclosporincorrectly
Ciclosporin in injectable form should only be given by a doctor or medical officer under the supervision of a doctor.
Follow the doctor's advice in using ciclosporin capsules or syrup or read the instructions for use on the drug packaging. This medicine can be taken before or after meals. If you are taking ciclosporin syrup, use the measuring device provided in the package.
To maximize the effect of the drug, take ciclosporin at the same time each day. Do not increase or decrease the dose without consulting your doctor to avoid side effects or reduce the effectiveness of the drug.
If you forget to take ciclosporin capsules or syrup, it is advisable to do so as soon as you remember, if the interval with the next consumption schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store ciclosporin tightly in the package. Place it in a place at room temperature that is not humid and hot. Do not store medicine in the refrigerator. Keep the medicine away from sunlight and keep out of reach of children.
Ciclosporin Interactions with Other Drugs and Ingredients
There are several drug interactions that can occur when ciclosporin is used with other drugs, including:
- Increased risk of seizures when used concomitantly with high-dose methylprednisolone
- Increased risk of rhabdomyolysis when used with simvastatin
- Decreased effectiveness and increased risk of infection from live vaccines such as BCG vaccine, or MMR vaccine
- Decreased effectiveness of ciclosporin with carbamazepine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, isoniazid, or rifampicin
- Increased effectiveness of ciclosporin when used with diltiazem, doxycycline, erythromycin, ketoconazole, chloramphenicol, nicardipine, verapamil, or birth control pills
- Impairs kidney function if used together with aminoglycoside drugs, or other types of drugs, such as amphotericin B, ciprofloxacin, colchicine, metothrexate, cotrimoxazole, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
In addition, consuming grapefruit (grapefruit) concurrently with ciclosporin can increase the level of cyclosporine in the blood.
Side Effects and Dangers of Ciclosporin
The following are some of the side effects that may occur after using ciclosporin:
- Headache or dizziness
- Hypertension
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach ache
- Pimple
- Hypertrichosis (excess hair growth)
- Gum hypertrophy (overgrowth of the gums)
Consult a doctor if these side effects do not improve in a matter of days or weeks. See your doctor right away if you have an allergic drug reaction or any of the following serious side effects:
- Disorders of the kidneys, such as reduced frequency and amount of urine, swelling of the legs, bloody urine (hematuria), shortness of breath and difficulty breathing
- Liver disorders, such as yellowish skin and whites of the eyes, upper abdominal pain (jaundice), loss of appetite
- Easy bruising, paleness, and other bleeding symptoms, including nosebleeds and bleeding gums
- Hyperkalemia, which is characterized by excessive feeling of weakness, chest pain, irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), muscle weakness, immobility, or shaking
- Impaired vision, balance, or speech disorders
- Symptoms of infection, such as fever, unwell, or flu symptoms
- Headaches that are getting worse
- Difficulty concentrating or absent-minded
- Seizures