MyHealth.Alberta.ca Network

Cyclosporine - Intravenous

Pronunciation: SYE-kloe-SPOR-in

Common Brand Name(s): Sandimmune

Important: How To Use This Information

This is a summary and does NOT have all possible information about this product. This information does not assure that this product is safe, effective, or appropriate for you. This information is not individual medical advice and does not substitute for the advice of your health care professional. Always ask your health care professional for complete information about this product and your specific health needs.

Warning

Cyclosporine lowers your ability to fight infections. This may make you more likely to get a serious (rarely fatal) infection or make any infection you have worse. This effect may also increase your risk of getting certain types of cancer (such as skin cancer, lymphoma). Tell your doctor right away if you have any signs of infection or cancer, such as sore throat that doesn't go away, fever, chills, cough, burning/frequent urination, unusual skin changes, change in appearance or size of moles, unusual weight loss, swollen lymph glands, unusual lumps, night sweats.

Cyclosporine can also cause high blood pressure and kidney problems. The risk of both problems increases with higher doses and longer treatment with this drug. Your doctor will monitor your blood pressure and kidney function while you use this medication.

Psoriasis patients who have had certain previous treatments (such as coal tar, methotrexate, radiation treatment, light treatment with PUVA/UVB) are at increased risk to develop skin cancer. Talk to your doctor of the risks and benefits of this medication.

Uses

Cyclosporine is used to prevent organ rejection in people who have received a liver, kidney, or heart transplant. It is usually used along with other medications to allow your new organ to function normally. Cyclosporine belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants. It works by weakening the immune system to help your body accept the new organ as if it were your own.

Because of the risk of severe allergic reactions from intravenous cyclosporine, it should only be used by patients who are unable to take cyclosporine by mouth. Once you are able to take medications by mouth, you should be switched from this form of cyclosporine to either the capsules or oral solution.

Other Uses

This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.

This drug may also be used to reduce the risk of rejection in other types of organ transplants (such as cornea, pancreas) or bone marrow transplant. It may also be used for other conditions that are affected by the body's immune system (such as Crohn's disease, rheumatoid arthritis, plaque psoriasis).

How To Use

This medication is given by injection into a vein as directed by your doctor, usually once daily over 2 to 6 hours. The dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, lab tests, and response to treatment.

If you are using this medication at home, learn all preparation and usage instructions from your health care professional. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Learn how to store and discard medical supplies safely.

When cyclosporine is given into a vein, one of the other ingredients in this product (polyoxyethylated castor oil) may rarely cause a serious allergic reaction. If you are using this medication at home, be prepared to self-treat as directed by your doctor if symptoms of an allergic reaction occur. (See also Side Effects section.)

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.

Side Effects

Precautions

Before using cyclosporine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients (such as polyoxyethylated castor oil), which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of:

kidney disease
liver disease
high blood pressure
cancer
skin lesions of unknown cause
radiation treatment (including light treatment with PUVA or UVB)
mineral imbalance (such as low level of magnesium or high level of potassium)
recent/current infections
high cholesterol/triglycerides levels

This drug may make you dizzy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

This medication may contain alcohol. Caution is advised if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or have liver disease, alcohol dependence, or any other condition that requires you to limit/avoid alcohol in your diet. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Cyclosporine can make you more likely to get infections or may make current infections worse. Stay away from anyone who has an infection that may easily spread (such as chickenpox, COVID-19, measles, flu). Talk to your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details.

Tell your health care professional that you are using cyclosporine before having any immunizations/vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have recently received live vaccines (such as flu vaccine inhaled through the nose).

This medication may increase your risk of developing skin cancer. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Your doctor may direct you to avoid phototherapy while you use this product. Ask your doctor for details.

This product may increase your potassium levels. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products).

Older adults may be at greater risk for kidney problems or high blood pressure while using this drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby or cause other problems with the baby such as being born too early (premature) or having low birth weight. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Drug Interactions

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

coal tar
orlistat
other drugs that weaken the immune system/increase the risk of infection (such as natalizumab, rituximab, tofacitinib)
drugs that may increase potassium levels (such as potassium supplements, certain diuretics/"water pills" including amiloride, spironolactone)
tacrolimus

Other medications can affect the removal of cyclosporine from your body, which may affect how cyclosporine works. Examples include bosentan, mifepristone, St. John's wort, ritonavir, among others.

This medication can slow down the removal of other medications from your body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include aliskiren, dabigatran, dronedarone, elagolix, certain statins (such as pitavastatin, simvastatin), voxilaprevir, among others.

Overdose

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Alberta residents can call PADIS (Poison and Drug Information Service) 24 hours a day at 1-800-332-1414. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

Notes

Lab and/or medical tests (such as kidney/liver function, blood pressure, blood mineral levels, cyclosporine blood levels, complete blood count, uric acid levels, lipid levels, skin exam) should be done while you are using this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your doctor for more details.

If you have had an organ transplant, attend a transplant education class or support group. Learn the symptoms of organ rejection such as a feeling of being ill, fever, and pain around the transplanted organ. Also learn the signs of a failing transplanted organ, such as a decrease in the amount of urine with kidney transplant, yellowing of the skin/eyes with liver transplant, shortness of breath/inability to exercise with heart transplant. Get medical help right away if these symptoms of rejection occur.

Missed Dose

It is important to get each dose of this medication as scheduled. If you miss a dose, ask your doctor or pharmacist right away for a new dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

If you have questions about missing a dose or you don't have more medication, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Storage

Consult the product instructions and your pharmacist for storage details. Keep all medications away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.

Medical Alert

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-888-633-4298 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised October 2023.

Selected from data included with permission and copyright by First DataBank, Inc. This copyrighted material has been downloaded from a licensed data provider and is not for distribution, except as may be authorized by the applicable terms of use.

Conditions of Use: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment. The display and use of this drug information is subject to express Terms of Use.

Top of the page

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. Learn how we develop our content.