CYCLOSPORINE - INTRAVENOUS

CYCLOSPORINE - INTRAVENOUS

PHONETIC PRONUNCIATION: (SYE-kloe-SPOR-in)

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Sandimmune

GENERIC NAME(S): cyclosporine

Uses

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.


How to use CYCLOSPORINE - INTRAVENOUS

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

SIDE EFFECTS: See also Warning section. Shaking, headache, dizziness, unusual growth of body hair, nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach upset may occur. If any of these effects last or get worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Unusual growth and swelling of the gums may occur. Brush your teeth and floss daily to reduce this problem. See your dentist regularly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. This medication may raise your blood pressure. Check your blood pressure regularly and tell your doctor if the results are high. Your doctor may control your blood pressure with medication. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: signs of kidney problems (such as a change in the amount of urine), signs of liver disease (such as nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, dark urine, yellowing eyes/skin, stomach/abdominal pain), easy bruising/bleeding, unusual tiredness, muscle weakness/spasms, slow/irregular heartbeat, numb/tingling skin, severe leg pain. Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including: mental/mood changes (such as confusion, difficulty concentrating), vision changes, problems with speech, clumsiness, loss of coordination, weakness on one side of the body, chest pain, seizures. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), flushing, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Precautions

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 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. 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 worsen any current infections. Avoid contact with people who have infections that may spread to others (such as chickenpox, measles, flu). Consult your doctor if you have been exposed to an infection or for more details. Do not have immunizations/vaccinations without the consent of your doctor. 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. Because of the possible risk to the infant, breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Interactions

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 boceprevir, bosentan, mifepristone, St. John's wort, telaprevir, 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, simeprevir, certain statins (such as pitavastatin, simvastatin), voxilaprevir, among others.

Overdose

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. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center.

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Faq for CYCLOSPORINE - INTRAVENOUS

Cyclosporine intravenous is used to prevent organ rejection in patients who have received a kidney, liver, or heart transplant.

Cyclosporine intravenous works by suppressing the immune system, which helps prevent the body from rejecting the transplanted organ.

Common side effects of cyclosporine intravenous may include headache, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, high blood pressure, and increased hair growth.

Cyclosporine intravenous is usually given by a healthcare professional through a vein (intravenously) over a period of time.

It is important to avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice as it may increase the levels of cyclosporine in your body. You should also let your healthcare provider know about any other medications you are taking, as certain drugs may interact with cyclosporine.

The duration of treatment with cyclosporine intravenous will be determined by your healthcare provider based on your individual needs and response. It is usually taken for a long-term basis to prevent organ rejection.

Drinking alcohol may increase the risk of certain side effects, such as liver damage. It is best to avoid or limit alcohol consumption while on cyclosporine intravenous.

If you miss a dose, contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible for instructions. It is important not to double up on the dose to make up for a missed one.

There are no specific dietary restrictions, but it is important to maintain a healthy diet and follow any recommendations provided by your healthcare provider.


Warning

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.


Disclaimer

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.