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Cyclosporine keeps donor bone marrow from reacting with your immune system and harming your blood vessels, liver, and gut after a bone marrow transplant. Doctors may refer to this reaction as graft-versus-host-disease. Cyclosporine may also be used to prevent rejection of solid organ transplants, such as kidney, liver, and heart transplants.
This medicine may be called by its brand names, Sandimmune® or Neoral®. It may also be called by its common name, cyclosporin A.
Cyclosporine is taken by mouth or injected into the veins. Take cyclosporine liquid or capsules with meals if makes your stomach upset. Take the medicine at the same time(s) every day.
Cyclosporine liquid (Sandimmune®) tastes better if you mix each dose with milk, chocolate milk, or orange juice. Mix cool or room temperature liquid in a glass container, not a wax-lined or plastic disposable container. Stir the mixture well and drink it right away. To be sure you take all the cyclosporine, add more liquid after you drink the first glass, stir, and drink.
Cyclosporine liquid for emulsion (Neoral®) tastes better if you mix each dose with apple juice or orange juice. Mix cool or room temperature liquid in a glass container, stir well, and drink the mixture right away. Do NOT mix cyclosporine liquid for emulsion with milk.
Store cyclosporine liquid or capsules at room temperature, not in the refrigerator or freezer. Do not leave the medicine in direct sunlight or store it near warm or damp places, like radiators, ovens, bathrooms, or sinks. Store cyclosporine capsules in the blister pack container until just before you take the dose.
Cyclosporine liquid is good for 2 months after you open the bottle. Throw away any medication that is left in the bottle after 2 months.
Your doctor will prescribe either Sandimmune® or Neoral®. Do not switch to a different product after starting cyclosporine therapy.
Cyclosporine can decrease the ability of your body to fight infections, especially if you are taking other medicine for your cancer. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist how to reduce your risk of infection.
Brush and floss your teeth regularly while taking cyclosporine. Cyclosporine can cause tender, swollen, or bleeding gums, especially in younger patients. Massage your gums if it makes them feel better.
Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist right away if you vomit within 1 to 2 hours of taking cyclosporine by mouth.
Tell your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist if you are allergic to any medications, especially medications which contain Cremophor EL® (eg, paclitaxel (Taxol®)), teniposide (Vumon®), or valrubicin (Valstar®). Some people with allergies to these products are also allergic to intravenous (IV) cyclosporine because it contains Cremophor EL®.
Take the missed dose right away if you skip or forget to take a dose by mouth and you remember within 12 hours. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not increase your dose to make up for a missed dose. It is very important to take cyclosporine exactly as prescribed.
Call your doctor if you are worried about a side effect or have questions about your medical care.
Call the doctor at once if you have any of these side effects:
Call the doctor as soon as you can if you have any of these side effects:
Cyclosporine may cause side effects that do not occur for months or years after you finish chemotherapy, including leukemia or lymphoma. Discuss these long-term effects with your doctor if you are concerned.
These written patient information materials should be used in conjunction with verbal counseling. They are not intended as the sole source of information patients receive about their chemotherapy and other medications. The adverse effects listed are important and common ones that patients might experience; every possible adverse effect is not included. Long-term adverse effects, like secondary malignancy and infertility, are discussed for those drugs whose risk is well defined.