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Ciclosporin

Information about Ciclosporin

Ciclosporin Uses

Ciclosporin is used for prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, bone marrow transplantation, nephrotic syndrome, uveitis and Atopic dermatitis.

How Ciclosporin works

Ciclosporin is an immunosuppressant. It works by suppressing your body’s immune response.

Common side effects of Ciclosporin

Headache, Nausea1a, Vomiting, Increased hair growth, High blood pressure, Renal dysfunction, Loss of appetite, Diarrhea, Tremor, Increased glucose level in blood, Paresthesia (tingling or pricking sensation), Acne, Decreased white blood cell count, Increased levels of blood fat, Decreased appetite, Increased uric acid level in blood, Electrolyte imbalance, Convulsion, Flushing (sense of warmth in the face, ears, neck and trunk), Gastrointestinal disturbance, Gingival hyperplasia, Stomach ulcer, Abnormal liver function, Excessive hair growth on face, Hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth), Muscle cramp, Muscle pain, Fever, Fatigue

CONTENT DETAILS

Written By

Dr. Anuj Saini

MMST, MBBS

Reviewed By

Dr. Varun Gupta

MD (Pharmacology), MBBS

Last updated

09 Jul 2020 | 05:55 AM (UTC)

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Available Medicine for Ciclosporin

Expert advice for Ciclosporin

Ciclosporin is used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients.
It is also used to treat arthritis and immune disorders of the eyes, lungs, muscles, skin, nerves, and blood vessels.
It may take 3 to 4 months for the medication to work. Keep taking it as prescribed.
Your doctor may get regular blood tests done to check the levels of blood cells in your blood. Inform your doctor if you experience unexplained bruising or bleeding, sore throat, mouth ulcers, fever or general illness.
Your doctor may monitor your kidney function regularly. Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water per day to help with your kidney function.
Do not stop taking Ciclosporin without talking to your doctor first.

Frequently asked questions for Ciclosporin

Ciclosporin

Q. Is Ciclosporin a steroid?

No, Ciclosporin is not a steroid. It belongs to a group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. It decreases the action of the body’s immune system.

Q. Can Ciclosporin cause weight gain?

Ciclosporin may either cause an increase or decrease in weight. However, the changes in weight are uncommon side effects of this medicine. Consult your doctor if these side effects worry you.

Q. Does Ciclosporin cause hair growth?

Yes, the use of Ciclosporin may cause abnormal hair growth (hypertrichosis) as a common side effect of Ciclosporin, though it does not affect everyone.

Q. Does Ciclosporin cause fatigue?

Yes, Ciclosporin may cause fatigue as a common side effect. However, fatigue could also be due to an underlying disease. Discuss with your doctor if this side effect worries you.

Q. Do I need to get any tests done while being treated with Ciclosporin?

Yes, the doctor may suggest tests to check the levels of Ciclosporin in your blood, especially if you have had a transplant. You may also be advised to get your blood pressure checked before the start of your treatment and regularly during treatment. In addition, liver and kidney function tests along with your blood lipids (fats), will be checked.

Q. Can Ciclosporin cause cancer?

Ciclosporin is known to suppress the immune system. This as a result, increases your risk of developing cancers, particularly of the skin and lymphoid system. You should limit your exposure to sunlight and UV light by wearing appropriate protective clothing. Sunscreen should be applied frequently with a high protection factor.

Q. What are the side effects of Ciclosporin?

Ciclosporin may cause side effects such as headache, diarrhea, heartburn, increased hair growth on the face, arms, or back, growth of extra tissue on the gums, acne, flushing, and uncontrollable shaking of a part of your body. You may also experience burning or tingling sensation in the hands, arms, feet, or legs, muscle or joint pain, cramps, pain or pressure in the face, ear problems, breast enlargement in men, depression and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.

Q. What is Ciclosporin used for?

Ciclosporin is used in combination with other medications which are used to prevent transplant rejection (attack of the transplanted organ by the immune system of the person who received the organ) in people who have received kidney, liver and heart transplants. These combination medicines also help to treat the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis (a disease, affecting the joints with pain and swelling) in patients whose symptoms were not relieved by methotrexate alone. It is also used to treat psoriasis (a skin disease in which red, scaly patches form on some areas of the body), and atopic dermatitis (skin allergies).