Cyclosporine

Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplantation Cyclosporine capsules (modified) is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in kidney, liver, and heart allogeneic transplants. Cyclosporine capsules (modified) has been used in combination with azathioprine and corticosteroids. Rheumatoid Arthritis Cyclosporine capsules (modified) is indicated for the treatment of patients with severe active, rheumatoid arthritis where the disease has not adequately responded to methotrexate. Cyclosporine capsules (modified) can be used in combination with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients who do not respond adequately to methotrexate alone. …

• Cyclosporine capsules (modified) has increased bioavailability in comparison to Sandimmune ®
• Cyclosporine capsules (modified) and Sandimmune ® are not bioequivalent and cannot be used interchangeably without physician supervision
• The daily dose of cyclosporine capsules (modified) should always be given in two divided doses (BID)
• It is recommended that cyclosporine capsules (modified) be administered on a consistent schedule with regard to time of day and relation to meals
• Grapefruit and grapefruit juice affect metabolism, increasing blood concentration of cyclosporine, thus should be avoided
• Specific Populations Renal Impairment in Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplantation Cyclosporine undergoes minimal renal elimination and its pharmacokinetics do not appear to be significantly altered in patients with end-stage renal disease who receive routine hemodialysis treatments (see CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY )
• However, due to its nephrotoxic potential (see WARNINGS ), careful monitoring of renal function is recommended; cyclosporine dosage should be reduced if indicated (see WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS )
• Renal Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriasis Patients with impaired renal function should not receive cyclosporine (see CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS )
• Hepatic Impairment The clearance of cyclosporine may be significantly reduced in severe liver disease patients ( See CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ). …

• Although no adequate and well-controlled studies have been completed in children, transplant recipients as young as one year of age have received cyclosporine capsules (modified) with no unusual adverse effects
• The safety and efficacy of cyclosporine capsules (modified) treatment in children with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis below the age of 18 have not been established

In rheumatoid arthritis clinical trials with cyclosporine, 17.5% of patients were age 65 or older. These patients were more likely to develop systolic hypertension on therapy, and more likely to show serum creatinine rises ≥ 50% above the baseline after 3 to 4 months of therapy. …

• General Cyclosporine capsules (modified) is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to cyclosporine or to any of the ingredients of the formulation
• Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis patients with abnormal renal function, uncontrolled hypertension, or malignancies should not receive cyclosporine capsules, (modified). …

(See PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ) When diclofenac or methotrexate was coadministered with cyclosporine in rheumatoid arthritis patients, the AUC of diclofenac and methotrexate, each was significantly increased (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ). No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions occurred between cyclosporine and aspirin, ketoprofen, piroxicam, or indomethacin. …

(See also BOXED WARNING ) All Patients Cyclosporine, the active ingredient of cyclosporine capsules, (modified), can cause nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The risk increases with increasing doses of cyclosporine. Renal dysfunction including structural kidney damage is a potential consequence of cyclosporine capsules (modified) and therefore renal function must be monitored during therapy. Care should be taken in using cyclosporine with nephrotoxic drugs (see PRECAUTIONS). Patients receiving cyclosporine capsules (modified) require frequent monitoring of serum creatinine (see Special Monitoring under DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION ). …

Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplantation The principal adverse reactions of cyclosporine therapy are renal dysfunction, tremor, hirsutism, hypertension, and gum hyperplasia. Hypertension Hypertension, which is usually mild to moderate, may occur in approximately 50% of patients following renal transplantation and in most cardiac transplant patients. Glomerular Capillary Thrombosis Glomerular capillary thrombosis has been found in patients treated with cyclosporine and may progress to graft failure. …

Pregnancy Risk Summary Available data from published literature, including the Transplant Pregnancy Registry International, observational cohort studies, case-controlled studies, meta-analysis, case series, and case reports, over decades of use with cyclosporine in pregnancy have not identified a drug associated risk of major birth defects, or miscarriage. …

There is a minimal experience with cyclosporine overdosage. Forced emesis and gastric lavage can be of value up to 2 hours after administration of cyclosporine capsules, (modified). Transient hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity may occur which should resolve following drug withdrawal. Oral doses of cyclosporine up to 10 g (about 150 mg/kg) have been tolerated with relatively minor clinical consequences, such as vomiting, drowsiness, headache, tachycardia and, in a few patients, moderately severe, reversible impairment of renal function. …

Take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next dose. Then skip the missed one. Never take two doses at once to make up for it. Check your leaflet, as some medicines are different.