Type of medicine: immunosuppressant
Generic and brand names: cyclosporine, injection; cyclosporine, oral; Gengraf Capsules; Neoral Oral Solution; Neoral Soft Gelatin Capsules; Sandimmune; Sandimmune Injection; Sandimmune Oral Solution; Sandimmune Soft Gelatin Capsules
This medicine is used to prevent organ transplant rejection. It may also be used to treat other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. It may be used for other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.
This medicine comes in capsule, liquid and injection forms. It is usually used along with steroid medicines.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes in regular doses every day. Do not take more or less or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
Take the medicine on a regular schedule with regard to time of day and relation to meals. Do not miss doses.
If you have the oral liquid form, you may mix it with apple or orange juice (not grapefruit juice) to make it taste better. Use the specially marked syringe that comes with the medicine to measure doses. Do not rinse the syringe before or after use. Do not add water or any other liquid to the bottle of medicine. Diluting the medicine will change the dosage. Use a glass to take the medicine. Do not drink this medicine from a plastic or Styrofoam cup. Mix it thoroughly and drink right away. After drinking all of the liquid containing the medicine, add some more liquid to the glass and drink it to be sure you get all of the medicine.
Do not change the brand you are taking. Other brands may affect you differently.
This medicine may also be given by injection, or by IV infusion while you are in the hospital.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: nausea, vomiting, numbness, bluish skin, seizures.
This is a very strong medicine. Only healthcare providers experienced with this drug should prescribe it. This medicine may increase your risk for certain types of skin cancer, especially if you have psoriasis. To decrease your risk, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp.
This medicine may damage your liver and kidneys. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
You need lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
You may get infections more easily when you are taking this medicine. Stay away from people with colds, flu, or other infections. Also, do not have any vaccines without getting your healthcare provider's approval first. Also, avoid close contact with anyone who has recently had an oral polio vaccine.
If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may affect your gums. Ask your healthcare provider about care of your gums and teeth.
This medicine may make you drowsy, dizzy, and confused. Do not drive unless you are fully alert and clearheaded
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you are unable to contact your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reactions (hives, itching, rash, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue or throat, trouble breathing).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Fever, chills, chest pain or fast heartbeat, sore throat, blood in urine, painful urination, severe stomach pain, unusual weakness or tiredness, bleeding or tender gums, seizures.
Other: Trembling hands, increased hair growth, muscle or joint pain, weight gain, headache, acne, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, swelling in the gums, white patches or sores inside mouth or on lips.
Be sure to check with your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting or stopping any other medicine. When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Also, using these medicines together might cause harmful side effects.
Caution: This medicine may interact with MANY other medicines. It is extremely important that you tell the healthcare provider who prescribed this medicine about any other medicines you are taking.
This medicine can also interact with natural remedies, such as St. John's wort. DO NOT take any other medicines, including nonprescription products, herbs, or supplements, unless your health care provider approves them.
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit or grapefruit juice. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Do not refrigerate or freeze the medicine. Keep it in the original container and keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicines in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
