Uses of Cyclosporin

Cyclosporin is used to prevent graft rejection in patients undergoing transplantation of any organ, bone marrow or stem cells. It can also be used to treat an ongoing graft rejection of the newly transplanted organ. It is used to treat severe dry eye syndrome (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) in children and in adolescents (aged between 4-18 years).

Therapeutic Category

Cyclosporin: Immunosuppressants.

How Cyclosporin works

Cyclosporin is an immunosuppressive agent. It works by blocking the release of certain chemicals in the body (such as T-cells, interleukins, and cytokines) that triggers the immune response. This action suppresses your body’s immune functions and enables your body to accept the transplanted organ. As a result, it prevents the risk of graft rejection and increases the survival of the newly transplanted organ.

Common side effects of Cyclosporin

• kidney problems
• high blood pressure
• Headache
• Shaking of your body which you cannot control
• Excessive growth of body and facial hair
• Fits (seizures)
• Liver problems
• High level of sugar in your blood
• Tiredness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea (feeling sick), vomiting, abdominal discomfort/pain, diarrhoea
• Excessive hair growth
• Acne, hot flushes
• Fever
• Feeling numb or tingling
• Pain in your muscles, muscle spasm
• Stomach ulcer
• Gum tissue overgrowing and covering your teeth

When to consult your doctor

Consult your doctor:

• In case of accidental overdosage
• If you experience signs of infections (such as fever or sore throat)
• If you experience signs of brain infection called progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (such as vision changes, loss of coordination, being clumsy, memory loss, problems in speaking or understanding, muscle weakness)
• If you experience brain problems (causing seizures, confusion, disorientation, lack of response, behavioural changes, agitation, sleeplessness, vision changes, paralysis, stiff neck, loss of coordination with or without unusual speech or eye movements)
• If you experience swelling at the back of the eye with blurred vision
• If you experience signs of liver problems (such as yellow skin and eyes, nausea, loss of appetite and dark urine)
• If you experience low urine output, kidney problems
• If you experience signs of low level of red blood cells or platelets (causing pale skin, tiredness, breathlessness, having dark urine, bruising or bleeding with no obvious reasons, confusion, disorientation, being less alert and having kidney problems)

Health Tips for Cyclosporin

• Take this medicine at the same time every day
• Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice while taking this medicine as it can increase the risk of potential side effects
• Avoid taking this medicine with high-fat meals as it may reduce its absorption
• Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated while taking this medicine. This medication can increase your risk of developing kidney problems, and staying hydrated can help reduce this risk
• Avoid exposure to sunlight and ultraviolet (UV) light while taking this medicine