How should this medicine be used?
Cyclosporine comes as a capsule and liquid to take by mouth. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dosing schedule for you. Take your doses at the same time each day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. You will probably have to take cyclosporine for a long time, possibly for the rest of your life. Take cyclosporine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
The oral liquid comes with a special syringe with markings for measuring the dose. Ask your pharmacist to show you how to use it, and tell the pharmacist if you have difficulty reading these markings.
Remove the protective cover from the syringe and carefully measure the dose. Place the dose in a glass container (be sure to use glass) and dilute it with milk, chocolate milk, or orange juice (preferably at room temperature). Stir the mixture well and drink it immediately. Do not allow it to stand. After taking the dose, rinse the glass with a second portion of just the beverage and drink it to be sure that you receive the entire dose.
Dry the outside of the syringe with a clean towel after each use and replace the protective cover. Do not rinse the syringe with water.
Other uses for this medicine
Cyclosporine also is used to prevent rejection problems in bone marrow and other transplants. It also may be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis and other conditions that have not responded to other medicines. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your condition.
What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking cyclosporine,
* tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to cyclosporine or any other drugs.
* tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, including high doses of corticosteroids [prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone, others), others]. While taking cyclosporine, do not take the following medicines unless your doctor tells you to: allopurinol (Zyloprim), azithromycin (Zithromax), bromocriptine (Parlodel), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cimetidine (Tagamet), clarithromycin (Biaxin), danazol, diclofenac (Voltaren), diltiazem (Cardizem), dirithromycin (Dynabac), erythromycin, fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), methotrexate, metoclopramide (Reglan), methylprednisolone (Medrol), octreotide (Sandostatin), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin), prednisolone, ranitidine (Zantac), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin), spironolactone (Aldactone), tacrolimus (Prograf), ticlopidine (Ticlid), triamterene (Dyrenium), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim, Septra), verapamil (Calan), and vitamins.
* tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease, high blood pressure, low cholesterol, or low levels of magnesium in your blood.
* tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking cyclosporine, call your doctor.
* you should know that this drug may make you more likely to get infections. Avoid people with contagious diseases such as the flu. Keep cuts and scratches clean. Use good personal hygiene, particularly for your mouth, teeth, skin, hair, and hands. Call your doctor immediately if you have signs of an infection such as fever, sore throat, chills, and frequent and painful urination.
What special dietary instructions should I follow?
Avoid drinking grapefruit juice or eating grapefruit 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking cyclosporine.
What should I do if I forget a dose?
It is very important to avoid missing doses of cyclosporine and to take it at the same time each day. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
What side effects can this medication cause?
Side effects from cyclosporine are common. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
* upset stomach
* vomiting
* diarrhea
* loss of appetite
* increased hair growth
* sinusitis
* breast enlargement
If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
* tremors
* overgrowth of the gums
* unusual bleeding or bruising
* sore throat
* fever
* chills
* yellowing of the skin or eyes
* seizures
* decreased urination
* swelling (feet, ankles, lower legs, and hands)
* weight gain
* headache
* changes in vision
* lack of control over body movement
* confusion
