Cyclosporine; Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Drug Interactions

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Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor and potent immunosuppressive agent used largely as a means of prophylaxis against cellular rejection after solid organ transplantation. Cyclosporine therapy can be associated with mild elevations in serum bilirubin and transient serum enzyme elevations, and to rare instances of clinically apparent cholestatic liver injury. Cyclosporine is...

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বাংলা রোগী নোট এখনো যোগ করা হয়নি। পোস্ট এডিটরে “RX Bangla Patient Mode” বক্স থেকে সহজ বাংলা সারাংশ যোগ করুন।

এই তথ্য শিক্ষা ও সচেতনতার জন্য। এটি ডাক্তারি পরীক্ষা, রোগ নির্ণয় বা প্রেসক্রিপশনের বিকল্প নয়।

Article Summary

Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor and potent immunosuppressive agent used largely as a means of prophylaxis against cellular rejection after solid organ transplantation. Cyclosporine therapy can be associated with mild elevations in serum bilirubin and transient serum enzyme elevations, and to rare instances of clinically apparent cholestatic liver injury. Cyclosporine is a natural cyclic polypeptide immunosuppressant isolated from the fungus Beauveria nivea. The exact mechanism of action of cyclosporine is not known but...

Key Takeaways

  • This article explains Mechanism of action of Cyclosporine in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Indications of Cyclosporine in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Contra-Indications of Cyclosporine in simple medical language.
  • This article explains Dosages of Cyclosporine in simple medical language.
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Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor and potent immunosuppressive agent used largely as a means of prophylaxis against cellular rejection after solid organ transplantation. Cyclosporine therapy can be associated with mild elevations in serum jaundice. সহজ বাংলা: জন্ডিসে বাড়তে পারে এমন হলুদ রঞ্জক।" data-rx-term="bilirubin" data-rx-definition="Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that can build up in jaundice. সহজ বাংলা: জন্ডিসে বাড়তে পারে এমন হলুদ রঞ্জক।">bilirubin and transient serum enzyme elevations, and to rare instances of clinically apparent cholestatic liver injury.

Cyclosporine is a natural cyclic polypeptide immunosuppressant isolated from the fungus Beauveria nivea. The exact mechanism of action of cyclosporine is not known but may involve binding to the cellular protein cyclophilin, resulting in inhibition of the enzyme calcineurin. This agent appears to specifically and reversibly inhibit immunocompetent lymphocytes in the G0-or G1-phase of the cell cycle. T-lymphocytes are preferentially inhibited with T-helper cells as the primary target. Cyclosporine also inhibits lymphokine production and release

It is used by mouth and injection into a vein for pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="rheumatoid arthritis" data-rx-definition="Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, Crohn’s disease, nephrotic syndrome, and in organ transplants to prevent rejection. It is also used as eye drops for keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eyes).

Mechanism of action of Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine suppresses some humoral immunity but is more effective against T cell-dependent immune mechanisms such as those underlying transplant rejection & some forms of autoimmunity. It preferentially inhibits antigen-triggered signal transduction in T lymphocytes, blunting expression of many lymphokines, including /(interleukin-2)/ IL-2, as well as expression of antiapoptotic proteins. Cyclosporine forms a complex with cyclophilin, a cytoplasmic receptor protein present in target cells. This complex binds to calcineurin, inhibiting Ca2+ stimulated dephosphorylation of the cytosolic component of NFAT. When the cytoplasmic component of NFAT is dephosphorylated, it translocates to the nucleus, where it complexes with nuclear components required for complete T-cell activation, including transactivation of IL-2 & other lymphokine genes. Calcineurin enzymatic activity is inhibited following physical interaction with the cyclosporine/cyclophilin complex. This results in the blockade of NFAT dephosphorylation; thus, the cytoplasmic component of NFAT does not enter the nucleus, gene transcription is not activated, & the T lymphocyte fails to respond to specific antigenic stimulation Cyclosporine also increases expression of transforming growth fact /beta/ (TGF-B), a potent inhibitor of IL-2-stimulated T-cell proliferation & generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes

or

Cyclosporine binds to cyclophilin. The complex then inhibits calcineurin which is normally responsible for activating transcription of interleukin 2. Cyclosporine also inhibits lymphokine production and interleukin release. In ophthalmic applications, the precise mechanism of action is not known. Cyclosporine emulsion is thought to act as a partial immunomodulator in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca. Used in immunosuppression for prophylactic treatment of organ transplants, cyclosporine exerts specific and reversible inhibition of immunocompetent lymphocytes in the G0-or G1-phase of the cell cycle. T-lymphocytes are preferentially inhibited. The T1-helper cell is the main target, although the T1-suppressor cell may also be suppressed. Sandimmune (cyclosporine) also inhibits lymphokine production and release including interleukin-2.

Indications of Cyclosporine

  • Psoriatic arthritis
  • Ankylosing Spondylities
  • Steroid induce arthritis
  • Multiple joints pain
  • Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Juvenile idiopathic arthritis
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Crohn’s disease
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Organ transplant, rejection prophylaxis
  • Organ transplant, rejection reversal
  • Bone marrow transplant rejection
  • Glomerulonephritis minimal ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।" data-rx-term="lesion" data-rx-definition="A lesion is an abnormal area of tissue such as a spot, wound, patch, lump, or ulcer. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের অস্বাভাবিক দাগ, ক্ষত বা ফোলা অংশ।">lesion
  • Glomerulosclerosis, focal segmental
  • Graft versus host disease
  • Heart transplant rejection
  • Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura
  • Interstitial cystitis
  • Kidney transplant rejection
  • Liver transplant rejection
  • Nephritis, lupus
  • Psoriasis
  • Severe ulcerative colitis
  • Uveitis
  • Refractory ulcerative colitis
  • Severe, active pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="rheumatoid arthritis" data-rx-definition="Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">rheumatoid arthritis
  • Severe, recalcitrant plaque psoriasis
  • Suppressed tear production

Therapeutic Uses 

  • Clinical indications for cyclosporine are kidney, liver, heart, & other organ transplantation; stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="rheumatoid arthritis" data-rx-definition="Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">rheumatoid arthritis; & psoriasis.
  • Cyclosporine usually is used in combination with other agents, especially glucocorticoids & either azathioprine or mycophenolate mofetil &, most recently, sirolimus.
  • In rheumatoid arthritis, cyclosporine is used in cases of severe disease that have not responded to methotrexate. Cyclosporine can be used in combination with methotrexate, but the levels of both drugs must be monitored closely.
  • In psoriasis, cyclosporine is indicated for the treatment of adult nonimmunocompromised patients with the severe & disabling disease who have failed other systemic therapies. Because of its mechanism of action, there is a theoretical base for the use of cyclosporine in a variety of other T-cell-mediated diseases. Cyclosporine has been reported to be effective in Behcet’s acute ocular syndrome, endogenous uveitis, atopic dermatitis, inflammatory bowel disease, & nephrotic syndrome when standard therapies have failed.
  • For the prevention of allograft rejection in adults and children
  • Cyclosporine is indicated, usually in combination with corticosteroids, for prevention of rejection of renal, hepatic, and cardiac transplants (allografts).
  • Cyclosporine is also indicated for the prevention of rejection of heart-lung and pancreatic transplants.
  • Cyclosporine is indicated for the treatment of chronic rejection in patients previously treated with other immunosuppressants.
  • Cyclosporine is indicated for severe, active, rheumatoid arthritis failing to respond adequately to therapy with methotrexate alone.
  • Cyclosporine is indicated for severe, recalcitrant, plaque-type psoriasis failing to respond to at least one systemic therapy or in patients unable to tolerate other systemic therapy.
  • Cyclosporine is indicated for prophylaxis and treatment of graft-versus-host disease after bone marrow transplantation.
  • Cyclosporine is indicated to induce and maintain remissions for steroid-dependent and steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome due to glomerular diseases.

Contra-Indications of Cyclosporine

Dosages of Cyclosporine

  • Strengths:  25 mg; 50 mg; 100 mg;  100 mg/mL; 50 mg/mL; 100 mg/mL.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

  • Initial dose: 1.25 mg/kg orally 2 times a day; onset of action usually occurs between 4 and 8 weeks
  • Titration: If the insufficient benefit is seen and tolerability is good at the initial dose (including serum creatinine less than 30% above baseline), the dose may be increased by 0.5 to 0.75 mg/kg/day after 8 weeks and again after 12 weeks
  • Maximum dose: 4 mg/kg/day orally in 2 divided doses; if no benefit is seen by 16 weeks, therapy should be discontinued

Organ Transplant – Rejection Prophylaxis 

  • Initial dose: Give 4 to 12 hours prior to transplantation or postoperatively; the initial dose varies depending on the organ and concomitant immunosuppressives.

Newly transplants patients

  • Renal: 9 mg/kg/day (plus or minus 3 mg/kg/day) orally in 2 divided doses
  • Liver: 8 mg/kg/day (plus or minus 4 mg/kg/day) orally in 2 divided doses
  • Heart: 7 mg/kg/day (plus or minus 3 mg/kg/day) orally in 2 divided doses

Psoriasis

  • Initial dose: 1.25 mg/kg orally 2 times a day for at least 4 weeks
  • Titration: If insufficient benefit is seen at 4 weeks and tolerability is good at the initial dose, the dose may be increased by 0.5 mg/kg/day at 2-week intervals based on patient response.
  • Maximum dose: 4 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses

Note: Doses below 2.5 mg/kg/day may also be effective.

Pediatric Organ Transplant – Rejection

ORAL FORMULATION (MODIFIED)
1 year and older
  • Initial dose: Give 4 to 12 hours prior to transplantation or postoperatively; the initial dose varies depending on the organ and concomitant immunosuppressives.
Newly transplant patients
  • Renal: 9 mg/kg/day (plus or minus 3 mg/kg/day) orally in 2 divided doses
  • Liver: 8 mg/kg/day (plus or minus 4 mg/kg/day) orally in 2 divided doses
  • Heart: 7 mg/kg/day (plus or minus 3 mg/kg/day) orally in 2 divided doses

Side Effects of Cyclosporine

The most common

More common

Common

Drug Interactions of Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine may interact with following drugs,supplement & may change the efficacy of drugs

Pregnancy & Lactation of Cyclosporine

FDA Pregnancy Category C

Pregnancy

This medication should be used during pregnancy only if the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately. Do not stop taking this medication without guidance from your doctor.

Lactation

This medication passes into breast milk. If you are a breastfeeding mother and are taking cyclosporine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breastfeeding.

References

 

Cyclosporine; Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Drug Interactions

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What to tell the doctor

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Safe first steps

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OTC medicine safety

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Avoid these mistakes

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Get urgent help if

  • Back pain with leg weakness, numbness around private area, loss of urine/stool control, fever, cancer history, or major injury needs urgent care.
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Doctor to discuss: Orthopedic / spine specialist, physical medicine doctor, or qualified clinician
Tests to discuss with doctor
  • Neurological examination for leg power, sensation, reflexes, and straight leg raise
  • X-ray only if injury, deformity, long-lasting pain, or doctor suspects bone problem
  • MRI discussion if severe nerve symptoms, weakness, bladder/bowel problem, or persistent symptoms
Questions to ask
  • What is the most likely cause of my symptoms?
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  • Which tests are really needed now?
  • Which medicines are safe for my age, pregnancy status, allergy, kidney/liver/stomach condition, and current medicines?
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Emergency warning signs such as chest pain, severe breathing difficulty, sudden weakness, confusion, severe dehydration, major injury, or loss of bladder/bowel control need urgent medical care. Do not wait for online information.

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Care roadmap for: Cyclosporine; Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Drug Interactions

Use this simple roadmap to understand the next safe steps. It is educational and does not replace examination by a doctor.

Go to emergency care if you notice:
  • Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
  • Breathing difficulty, chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, major injury, or severe dehydration
Doctor / service to discuss: Qualified healthcare provider; specialist depends on symptoms and examination.
  1. Step 1

    Check danger signs first

    If danger signs are present, seek emergency care and do not wait for online information.

  2. Step 2

    Record the symptom story

    Write when symptoms started, severity, medicines already taken, allergies, pregnancy status, and test results.

  3. Step 3

    Visit a qualified clinician

    A doctor, nurse, or qualified healthcare provider can examine you and decide which tests or treatment are needed.

  4. Step 4

    Do only useful tests

    Do tests after clinical assessment. Avoid unnecessary tests, random antibiotics, or repeated medicines without diagnosis.

  5. Step 5

    Follow up and return early if worse

    If symptoms worsen, new warning signs appear, or treatment is not helping, return for review quickly.

Rural patient practical tips
  • Take a written symptom diary and all previous prescriptions/test reports.
  • Do not hide medicines already taken, even herbal or over-the-counter medicines.
  • Ask which warning signs mean urgent referral to hospital.

This roadmap is for education. A real diagnosis and treatment plan requires history, examination, and clinical judgment.

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References

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