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Cysporin

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Generic Name: Cyclosporin
Product Name: Cysporin

Indication

Cyclosporin is used in patients who receive kidney, pancreas, liver, heart, bone marrow and heart-lung transplants to prevent and delay the body’s rejection reaction against the transplanted organ. It is also used in patients receiving bone marrow transplantation. Cyclosporin has also been shown be effective in the treatment of other diseases such as nephrotic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis.

Action

Cyclosporin is a drug that suppresses the immune system by acting on lymphocytes, which are one group of cells responsible for the body mounting an immune response against the transplanted organ. The immune system response can result in the transplanted organ being rejected by the body and so by suppressing this response Cyclosporin prevents and delays organ rejection. Cyclosporin is effective in other disease such as nephrotic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis and atopic dermatitis as these diseases are also the response of the immune system being overactive.

Dose advice

  • Cyclosporin should always be given in two divided doses.
  • In patients undergoing organ transplantation cyclosporin should be started 12 hours before surgery at a dose of 10 to 15 mg/kg given in two divided doses.
  • Cyclosporin should be continued at this dose for one to two weeks postoperatively and should then be gradually to a maintenance dose of about 1 to 3 mg/kg/day twice daily. If cyclosporin is given in combination with other immunosuppressant agents lower doses may be required.
  • Nephrotic syndrome: The recommended dose is 5 mg/kg/day if renal function is normal. In renal function is impaired dosing should not exceed 2.5 mg/kg/day.
  • Rheumatoid arthritis: 3 mg/kg/day is given in two divided doses for the first six weeks. If after 4-8 weeks no clinical response has been observed the dose may be increased every 1-2 months by 0.5 – 1.0 mg/kg/day up to a maximum dose of 5.0 mg/kg/day.
  • Psoriasis: Initially 2.5 mg/kg/day orally is given in two divided doses and if there is no clinical response after a month the dose may be increased gradually, but should not exceed 5 mg/kg/day.
  • Atopic dermatitis: Dosing is 2.5 to 5 mg/kg/day given in two divided oral doses.

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

  • Fatigue
  • Elevation in blood pressure
  • Tremor
  • Burning sensation in hands and feet
  • Headache
  • Increased body hair
  • Overgrowth of gums
  • Loss of appetite
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Abdominal pain
  • Impaired liver function
  • Impaired kidney function
  • Increased cholesterol levels
  • Weight increase
  • Fluid retention
  • Loss of sensation
  • Convulsions
  • Rash
  • Period pain or cessation of periods
  • Pancreatitis
  • Increased risk of infections
  • Anaemia
  • Muscle aches and cramps

Uncommon side effects

  • Weight loss
  • Increased body temperature
  • Confusion
  • Lethargy
  • Depression
  • Agitation
  • Insomnia
  • Vision changes
  • Hallucinations
  • Difficulty with walking
  • Acne
  • Itchiness
  • Flushing
  • Development of breast tissue in males
  • Hearing loss
  • Tinnitus

For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 31 October, 2015

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Created by: myVMC