* Generic Name: cyclosporine
* Brand Name: Neoral
* What is cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
* What are the possible side effects of cyclosporine (Gengraf,
Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
* What should I discuss with my health care provider before
taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
* How should I take cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
* What happens if I overdose (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
* What should I avoid while taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral,
SandIMMUNE)?
* What other drugs will affect cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral,
SandIMMUNE)?
* Where can I get more information (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
What is cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Cyclosporine lowers your body's immune system. The immune
system helps your body fight infections. The immune system can also
fight or "reject" a transplanted organ such as a liver or kidney. This
is because the immune system treats the new organ as an invader.
Cyclosporine is used to prevent organ rejection after a kidney, heart,
or liver transplant. Cyclosporine is also used to treat severe
psoriasis or severe rheumatoid arthritis.
Cyclosporine may also be used for purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What are the possible side effects of cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral,
SandIMMUNE)?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction:
hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or
throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* change in your mental state, problems with speech or walking,
decreased vision (may start gradually and get worse quickly);
* easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or
rectum), purple or red pinpoint spots under your skin;
* pale or yellowed skin, dark colored urine, fever, confusion or
weakness;
* dangerously high blood pressure--severe headache, blurred vision,
pounding in your neck or ears, nosebleed, anxiety, confusion,
severe chest pain, shortness of breath, irregular heartbeats;
* high potassium--nausea, slow or unusual heart rate, weakness, loss
of movement;
* kidney problems--little or no urinating, painful or difficult
urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short
of breath;
* liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tired feeling,
loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools,
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
* signs of infection--fever, chills, flu-like symptoms, mouth
sores, skin sores, feeling light-headed or short of breath, rapid
heart rate.
Common side effects may include:
* tremors or shaking;
* acne, increased growth of facial or body hair;
* increased blood pressure;
* nausea, diarrhea; or
* swollen or painful gums.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about cyclosporine
(Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Cyclosporine may increase your risk of developing serious infections,
cancer, or transplant failure. Talk with your doctor about the risks
and benefits of using this medication.
You may not be able to use this medicine if you have kidney disease,
untreated or uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure),
any type of cancer, or psoriasis that has been treated with PUVA,
UVB, radiation, methotrexate (Trexall), or coal tar. MAKE
SURE ALL DOCTORS INVOLVED IN YOUR CARE KNOW YOU ARE TAKING
CYCLOSPORINE.
Cyclosporine can cause serious side effects, including kidney failure
or life-threatening infection. While using cyclosporine, you will need
frequent blood tests to be sure cyclosporine is not causing harmful
effects.
Neoral Patient Information including How Should I Take
Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions
Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
RxList
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Weight Gain Shockers:Surprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight
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What should I discuss with my health care provider before taking cyclosporine
(Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
You should not use cyclosporine if you are allergic to it. You may not
be able to use cyclosporine if you have:
* kidney disease;
* untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure; or
* any type of cancer.
If you are being treated for psoriasis, you should not receive
ultraviolet light therapy (PUVA or UVB), radiation treatments, coal
tar, or drugs that weaken the immune system (such as methotrexate)
while you are receiving cyclosporine.
Cyclosporine can lower blood cells that help your body fight
infections, or cause your body to produce too much of a certain type of
white blood cells. This can lead to serious and sometimes fatal
conditions, including cancer, a severe brain infection that can lead to
disability or death, or a virus that can cause failure of a
transplanted kidney. Talk with your doctor about your specific risk.
MAKE SURE ALL DOCTORS INVOLVED IN YOUR CARE KNOW YOU ARE TAKING
CYCLOSPORINE.
It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.
Cyclosporine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You
should not breast-feed while you are using cyclosporine.
How should I take cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may
occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results. Do
not take this medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than
recommended.
You may take cyclosporine with or without food, but take it the same
way each time. Cyclosporine should be given in two separate doses each
day. Try to take the medication at the same dosing times each day.
If your doctor changes your brand, strength, or type of cyclosporine,
your dosage needs may change. Ask your pharmacist if you have any
questions about the new kind of cyclosporine you receive at the
pharmacy.
Measure liquid medicine with the dosing syringe provided, or with a
special dose-measuring spoon or medicine cup. If you do not have a
dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one. Sandimmune oral
solution may be mixed with milk, chocolate milk, or orange juice at
room temperature to make the medicine taste better. Neoral "modified"
(microemulsion) oral solution should be mixed with orange juice or
apple juice that is at room temperature.
While using cyclosporine, you will need frequent blood or urine tests
to be sure cyclosporine is not causing harmful effects.
Your condition may need to be treated with a combination of different
drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the
medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication.
Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's
advice. Every person taking cyclosporine should remain under the care
of a doctor.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Neoral Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Digestive Disease Myths:Common Misconceptions
Digestive Disease Myths Slideshow Pictures
RxList
10 Facts About the Amazing Brain
Weight Gain Shockers:Surprising Reasons You're Gaining Weight
Weight Gain Shockers Slideshow
What happens if I miss a dose (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with cyclosporine and
lead to unwanted side effects. Avoid the use of grapefruit products
while taking cyclosporine.
Avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Tell your
doctor at once if you develop signs of infection.
Do not receive a "live" vaccine while using cyclosporine. The vaccine
may not work as well during this time, and may not fully protect you
from disease. Live vaccines include measles, mumps,
rubella (MMR), polio, rotavirus, typhoid,
yellow fever, varicella (chickenpox), zoster
(shingles), and nasal flu (influenza) vaccine.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Cyclosporine can make you
sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen
(SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
What other drugs will affect cyclosporine (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Cyclosporine can harm your kidneys. This effect is increased when you
also use certain other medicines, including: antivirals,
cholesterol-lowering drugs, chemotherapy, injected antibiotics,
medicine for bowel disorders, medicines to treat autoimmune
disorders, medicine to prevent organ transplant rejection, stomach acid
reducers (Tagamet, Zantac), and some pain or arthritis
medicines (including aspirin, Tylenol, Advil, and Aleve).
Many drugs can interact with cyclosporine. Not all possible
interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current
medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:
* ambrisentan or bosentan;
* dabigatran;
* rifabutin;
* St. John's wort;
* antibiotic or antifungal medicine;
* antiviral medicine to treat hepatitis C or
HIV/AIDS;
* birth control pills;
* cholesterol-lowering medication:
* heart or blood pressure medication, including a diuretic or
"water pill";
* seizure medication; or
* steroid medication (oral, nasal, inhaled, or injectable).
This list is not complete and many other drugs can interact with
cyclosporine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Give a list of all your
medicines to any healthcare provider who treats you.
Where can I get more information (Gengraf, Neoral, SandIMMUNE)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about cyclosporine.
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