Cyclosporine Overview

(SYE kloe spor een)

Gengraf®; Neoral®; Restasis®; Sandimmune®

Apo-Cyclosporine®; Neoral®; Rhoxal-cyclosporine; Sandimmune® I.V.; Sandoz-Cyclosporine

Modusik-A Ofteno; Neolem; Restasis; Sandimmun Neoral; Supremunn

Calcineurin Inhibitor; Immunosuppressant Agent

• You will have an increased risk of getting infections. Avoid crowds and people with infections, colds, or flu. There are different brands of this medicine. One brand cannot safely be exchanged for another. Any change must be directed by healthcare provider. If you are taking this medicine for psoriasis AND you have received certain medicines to treat this condition, your risk of skin cancer may be increased. Your healthcare provider will be monitoring your blood pressure and kidney function closely.

• This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Serious reactions may occur. Check all medicines with healthcare provider.

• If you have an allergy to cyclosporine or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Cancer, psoriasis and are taking light therapy, poor kidney function, or uncontrolled high blood pressure.

• If you are receiving radiation therapy.

• If you are breast-feeding.

• Cyclosporine helps the body accept a transplanted organ.

• It decreases the body's harmful response to diseases affecting the immune system.

• It reduces irritation and inflammation.

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• Mix Neoral® solution in glass with orange or apple juice at room temperature.

• Mix Sandimmune® solution in glass with 1 cup of milk, chocolate milk, or orange juice at room temperature and drink immediately. Rinse glass with more juice or milk and drink.

• Follow diet plan and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.

Eye:

• For the eye only.

• Take out contact lenses before using medicine. Lenses can be replaced 15 minutes after medicine is given. Do not put contacts back in if eyes are irritated or infected.

• Do not touch the container tip to the eye, lid, or other skin.

• Tilt head back and drop medicine into eye.

• After using medicine, keep your eyes closed. Apply pressure to the inside corner of the eye. Do this for 3-5 minutes. This keeps the medicine in your eye.

• Separate each eye medicine by 5 minutes.

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose, brand, or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Check blood work regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Check blood pressure and heart rate regularly. Talk with healthcare provider.

• Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Store in original container at room temperature.

• Throw away any unused portion of solution after 2 months.

• Neoral® solutions may gel at temperatures less than 68°F. Bring to room temperature.

• Store capsules at room temperature.

• Protect capsules from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

Eye:

• Use right after opening.

• Throw away any unused portion of opened vial after use.

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Most medicines can be thrown away in household trash after mixing with coffee grounds or kitty litter and sealing in a plastic bag.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or in Canada to Health Canada's Canada Vigilance Program at 1-866-234-2345.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 11:43:23.0

Modified: 2010-08-03 11:29:31.0

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