Ciclosporin

When should one not use Ciclosporin

• If you are allergic to Ciclosporin or any of the ingredients of this medicine.
• If you are taking medicines like St John's Wort (traditionally used in folk medicine).
• If you are taking medicines such as dabigatran (used to prevent blood clots after surgery), bosentan, aliskiren (used to treat high blood pressure).

Common side effects of this drug are:

• Headache
• Tremors
• Fits
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach ulcers
• Increased facial hair
• Decreased white blood cells
• Altered kidney function
• Increased blood pressure

Other General Warnings

• You have kidney or liver disease, or any infection.
• You have high blood pressure, altered electrolytes level.
• You have a history of epilepsy (fits), gouty arthritis, psoriasis.
• You are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or a breastfeeding mother.
• You have a vaccination due.
• You have a family history of cancer.
• You experience any other side effect after taking this medicine.
• You are 65 years or more.
• Apply sunscreen lotion, and also avoid contact with direct sunlight or phototherapy while on this medicine.

How Does It Work?

• When there is an organ or graft transplant in any patient, the body takes the donor organ or graft as a foreign substance and tries to reject it by forming special cells against it. This process may lead to organ or graft rejection.
• Ciclosporin blocks the formation of these cells and prevents the rejection of transplanted tissue.
• The immune system normally protects against microorganisms like bacteria and viruses. When it senses any foreign substances, it develops fighter cells to attack them.

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Ciclosporin works, or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all the medicines, supplements, or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• Especially if you are taking medicines to treat high blood pressure, heart failure, high/abnormal cholesterol levels, blood thinners, anti-infectives, anti-diabetics, anti-asthmatics, pain killers, immunomodulatory medicines or medicines for the brain-related disorder.
• Concomitant use of Ciclosporin with nifedipine (high blood pressure) might result in swollen gums that might grow over your teeth.

Interactions with food items

Overdose

Missed a Dose