What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Cyclosporin:
Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, high blood pressure, a viral, bacterial, or fungal infection, undergone treatment with PUVA, UVB, methotrexate (Rheumatrex®, Immunex®), coal tar, radiation, or other immunosuppressants, or any other serious or chronic medical condition. You may not be able to take cyclosporin, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Moreover, inform your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before having surgery, before starting any other medication, and before receiving any vaccinations.
There are many drug/drug interactions with cyclosporin and you should tell your doctor of any medication you are taking or plan on taking, including herbal products. The interaction could alter cyclosporin levels causing a decrease in effectiveness or an increase in side effects. The side effects or effectiveness of the other drugs may also be altered.
The following are some examples of medications that may result in a drug/drug interaction when taken with cyclosporin: trimethoprim with sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®, Septra®, Sulfatrim®, others), gentamicin (Garamycin®, others), and vancomycin (Vancocin®); ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, Nuprin®, others), naproxen (Naprosyn®, Anaprox®, Aleve®, others), diclofenac (Voltaren®, Cataflam®), etodolac (Lodine®), flurbiprofen (Ansaid®), fenoprofen (Nalfon®), indomethacin (Indocin®), ketorolac (Toradol®), ketoprofen (Orudis KT®, Orudis®, Oruvail®), nabumetone (Relafen®), oxaprozin (Daypro®), piroxicam (Feldene®), sulindac (Clinoril®), and tolmetin (Tolectin®); amphotericin B (Fungizone®) and ketoconazole (Nizoral®); tacrolimus (Prograf®); melphalan (Alkeran®); cimetidine (Tagamet®, Tagamet HB®) and ranitidine (Zantac®, Zantac 75®); diltiazem (Cardizem®, Dilacor XR®, Tiazac®), nicardipine (Cardene®), amiodarone (Cordarone®, Pacerone®) and verapamil (Calan®, Verelan®); ketoconazole (Nizoral®), itraconazole (Sporanox®), and fluconazole (Diflucan®); danazol (Danocrine®) and methylprednisolone (Medrol®, others); erythromycin (Ery-Tab®, E-Mycin®, E.E.S.®, P.C.E.®, others), clarithromycin (Biaxin®); bromocriptine (Parlodel®); colchicine and allopurinol (Aloprim®, Lopurin®, Zyloprim®); indinavir (Crixivan®), nelfinavir (Viracept®), ritonavir (Norvir®), lopinavir-ritonavir (Kaletra®) and saquinavir (Fortovase®, Invirase®); metoclopramide (Reglan®); prednisolone (Prelone®, Pediapred®, others); digoxin (Lanoxin®, Lanoxicaps®); lovastatin (Mevacor®), fluvastatin (Lescol®), pravastatin (Pravachol®), simvastatin (Zocor®), or atorvastatin (Lipitor®); PUVA or UVB therapy; and potassium-sparing diuretics (water pills) such as amiloride (Midamor®), spironolactone (Aldactone®, Spironol®), or triamterene (Dyrenium®); and any type of vaccination.
Cyclosporin is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether cyclosporin will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or become pregnant Dur ring treatment.
Moreover, cyclosporin passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Cyclosporin is not recommended for use during breast-feeding. Do not take cyclosporin without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Cyclosporin can lower the activity of the immune system making you more susceptible to infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds, the flu, or other contagious illnesses. In addition, do not receive vaccines that contain a live strain of the virus (e.g., live oral polio vaccine) and avoid contact with individuals who have recently been vaccinated with a live virus. Notify your doctor at the first sign of fever, chills, or a sore throat.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Dosage and using this medicine
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?