Cyclosporine injection

What is this medication?

CYCLOSPORINE (SYE kloe spor een) is used to decrease the immune system's response to a transplanted organ.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Sandimmune

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

•gout

•high blood pressure

•infection

•kidney disease

•liver disease

•recent vaccinations

•an unusual or allergic reaction to cyclosporine, alcohol, castor oil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

•pregnant or trying to get pregnant

•breast feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for infusion into a vein. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

•bosentan

•cidofovir

•cisapride

•mibefradil

•ranolazine

•red yeast rice, monascus purpureus

•St. John's wort

•tacrolimus

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

•acyclovir

•allopurinol

•amiloride

•amiodarone

•bromocriptine

•carbamazepine

•certain antibiotics

•cimetidine

•colchicine

•danazol

•digoxin

•female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills

•imatinib

•medicines for fungal infections like amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, and ketoconazole

•medicines for blood pressure like diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil, enalapril, ramipril, and losartan

•medicines for cholesterol like lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and fenofibrate

•medicines for HIV infection like indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir

•medicines that suppress the immune system

•melphalan

•methotrexate

•metoclopramide

•NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen

•octreotide

•orlistat

•oxcarbazepine

•phenobarbital

•phenytoin

•ranitidine

•sirolimus

•spironolactone

•steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

•sulfinpyrazone

•ticlopidine

•triamterene

•vaccines

•voriconazole

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine. You will need important blood work while you are taking this medicine.

If you get a cold or other infection while taking this medicine, call your doctor or health care professional. Do not treat yourself. The medicine may decrease your body's ability to fight infections.

The medicine can cause unusual growth of gum tissue and can make your gums bleed. Practice good oral hygiene, and be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth. See your dentist regularly.

Women should inform their doctor if they wish to become pregnant or think they might be pregnant. There is a potential for serious side effects to an unborn child. Talk to your health care professional or pharmacist for more information.

This medicine may increase your risk for certain types of skin cancer, especially if you have psoriasis. To decrease your risk, were protective clothing, including hats, and use sunscreen with a high protection factor when exposed to the sun. Avoid using tanning beds.

Some products may contain alcohol. Ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider if this medicine contains alcohol. Be sure to tell all healthcare providers you are taking this medicine. Certain medicines, like metronidazole and disulfiram, can cause an unpleasant reaction when with taken alcohol. The reaction includes flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and increased thirst. The reaction can last from 30 minutes to several hours.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

•allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue

•changes in vision

•high blood pressure

•increased urge to urinate or frequent urination

•numbness or tingling in the hands and feet

•seizures

•severe stomach pain

•vomiting

•yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

•bleeding or tender gums, overgrowth of gum tissue

•diarrhea

•excessive hair growth on the face or body

•nausea

•tremors

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.