What is cyclosporine?
Cyclosporine is a medicine that suppresses the immune system (immunosuppressant). It is used to decrease the body's natural immune system response and prevent or treat GVHD after stem cell transplant. It is also used to treat aplastic anemia and other bone marrow failure syndromes.
This medicine may be given in the clinic, hospital, or at home. Cyclosporine is usually used along with other medicines.
Your child will have regular blood draws to check potassium and magnesium levels and to monitor kidney and liver function.
Your care team will also measure cyclosporine levels in the blood. The dose may change based on these tests. Your care team will let you know when tests will be performed to measure cyclosporine levels in the blood. On the day of the test, your child should not take the medicine until after the blood sample is collected. If your child has already taken cyclosporine before the lab is drawn, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible long-term or late effects
- Patients who take immunosuppressants like cyclosporine may be at risk for medical problems later in life. These can include second cancers (such as lymphoma or skin cancer). Your care team can give you more information about your child's risk.
Possible side effects
- Increased risk of infection
- High blood pressure
- Increased hair on body and face
- Increased growth of gums (gingival hyperplasia)
- High blood potassium levels
- Decreased kidney function
- Tremors (shaking of the body)
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach or abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Numbness or tingling in hands and feet
- Acne
- Flushed skin or sudden redness in the face, neck, or chest
- Seizures (rare)
- High blood sugar levels
- Low blood magnesium levels
- Decreased liver function
- Not all patients who take cyclosporine will experience these side effects. Common side effects are in bold, but there may be others. Please report all suspected side effects to your doctor or pharmacist.
Tips for patients and families
- Be sure to discuss all questions and instructions with your doctor or pharmacist.
- While taking cyclosporine, your child should drink plenty of fluids. Follow your care team's instructions about how much fluid to drink.
- While taking this medicine, your child should not eat grapefruit or Seville (bitter) oranges or drink juice or beverages containing grapefruit or Seville orange.
- Do not switch brands of cyclosporine unless your doctor tells you to do so.
- Some medicines may change the blood level of cyclosporine, increase its side effects, or change how well it works. These medicines include: erythromycin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, fluoxetine, itraconazole, metoclopramide, methylprednisolone, rifampin, clarithromycin, carbamazepine, omeprazole, phenytoin, phenobarbital, potassium-sparing diuretics, digoxin, verapamil, and diltiazem. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist about all medicines your child takes.
- This medicine may cause extra tissue to grow on the gums, so patients must brush their teeth daily and get regular dental check-ups.
- It is important that patients tell the care team if they are sexually active, pregnant, or breastfeeding.
- Sexually active patients should take steps to prevent pregnancy while taking cyclosporine and for 6 months after treatment is complete.
