Warnings & Recalls for Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine and Pregnancy
Cyclosporine has been labeled a FDA
pregnancy Category C medicine. It is unknown if cyclosporine may cause harm to an unborn baby if taken by a woman who is pregnant. Cyclosporine may be transferred through breast-milk and should not be taken while breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, discuss with your doctor the risks and benefits of taking cyclosporine during pregnancy.
General Warnings
Do not take cyclosporine if you are allergic to any ingredient in the medication. Cyclosporine may not be safe for patients who:
- kidney disease
- cancer
- hypertension (high blood pressure) that is not being treated or is uncontrolled
Be sure to talk to your doctor about your medical history before taking cyclosporine. Patients receiving cyclosporine
should not undergo any type of ultraviolet light or radiation therapy, or receive coal tar therapy (a treatment for psoriasis).
Avoid taking any type of drug that may decrease the function of your immune system.
Cyclosporine and the Immune System
Cyclosporine
weakens the immune system and may increase the risk of developing an infection, certain types of cancer, or infections of the brain. Talk to your doctor about these potential hazards before taking cyclosporine.
Cyclosporine Treatment and Use
Cyclosporine | Gengraf is a generic immunosuppressant medication prescribed for:
- preventing organ rejection during the process of a kidney, liver, or heart transplant
- severe cases of psoriasis (an immune disease resulting in skin reactions)
- rheumatoid arthritis (an auto-immune disorder which causes swelling or inflammation of tissue and organs)
- ulcerative colitis (a type of inflammatory bowel disease)
- asthma
Cyclosporine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1983 for reducing the risk of transplant rejection.
How Does Cyclosporine Work?
T-cells work in the body to fight infections and may in some cases “reject” organ transplants. Cyclosporine reduces the function of t-cells, weakening the body’s immune system in order to prevent the possibility of transplant rejection.
How To Take Cyclosporine
Cyclosporine is prescribed to be taken orally. It is generally recommended that patients take cyclosporine in two doses each day around the same each day. If you are taking cyclosporine oral suspension, be sure to use a proper dose-measuring device. Take cyclosporine only as prescribed by your doctor. Ask your doctor about specific dosage and administration instructions.