Cyclosporine Injection

What is this medication?

CYCLOSPORINE (SYE kloe spor een) prevents the body from rejecting an organ transplant. It works by lowering the body's immune system response. This helps the body accept the donor organ. It belongs to a group of medications called immunosuppressants.

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, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breastfeeding

How should I use this medication?

This medication is infused into a vein. It is given by a care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication 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 medication with any of the following:

• Bosentan
• Cidofovir
• Cisapride
• Mibefradil
• Ranolazine
• Red yeast rice, monascus purpureus
• St. John's Wort
• Tacrolimus

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Acyclovir
• Allopurinol
• Amiloride
• Amiodarone
• Bromocriptine
• Carbamazepine
• Certain antibiotics
• Cimetidine
• Colchicine
• Danazol
• Digoxin
• Estrogen and progestin hormones
• Imatinib
• Medications for fungal infections, such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, and ketoconazole
• Medications for blood pressure, such as diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil, enalapril, ramipril, and losartan
• Medications for cholesterol, such as lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and fenofibrate
• Medications for HIV infection, such as indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir
• Medications that suppress the immune system
• Melphalan
• Methotrexate
• Metoclopramide
• NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Octreotide
• Orlistat
• Oxcarbazepine
• Phenobarbital
• Phenytoin
• Ranitidine
• Sirolimus
• Spironolactone
• Steroid medications, such as 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 carefully monitored while you are taking this medication. You may need blood work while you are receiving this medication.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Talk to your dentist if this happens. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly may reduce the risk of side effects. Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Tell your dentist about any medications you are taking.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects.

Talk to your care team about your risk of skin cancer. You may be more at risk for skin cancer if you take this medication.

Some products may contain alcohol. Ask your pharmacist or care team if this medication contains alcohol. Be sure to tell all care teams you are taking this medication. Certain medications, such as metronidazole and disulfiram, can cause an unpleasant reaction when taken with 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 care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, confusion or trouble speaking
• Hemolytic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes
• High potassium level—muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat
• Increase in blood pressure
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
• Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, change in vision, confusion or trouble speaking, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, seizures
• Unusual bruising or bleeding

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

• Diarrhea
• Nausea
• Sensitive or irritated gums or teeth
• Tremors or shaking
• Unexpected hair growth

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 medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It 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.