No longer a first line agent but some transplant patients will still have Neoral (previous formulation Sandimmun but nearly all patients are on Neoral) as the lead agent in their immunosuppression regime.
Dose
Starting dose is 8 mg/kg/day in 2 divided doses.
Preparation
Ciclosporin is available 10 mg (yellow / white), 25 mg (blue / grey), 50 mg (yellow / white) and 100 mg (blue / grey) capsules and as a 100 mg/ml oral solution. The brand name is Neoral.
Administration
Oral route in most instances.
It is administered usually at 10 am and 10 pm.
Oral solution should be diluted immediately before taking. May be diluted in orange juice or squash, apple juice or water (not grapefruit juice - see interactions). Needs to be stirred well. Measuring device should not come into contact within the diluent.
One third of the oral dose can be given as a slow intravenous infusion in normal saline or dextrose 5% over 2-6 hours if absolutely necessary.
Contra-indications/Cautions
Live vaccines are not to be given to immunocompromised patients.
Neoral should be used with caution during pregnancy.
Ciclosporin passes into breast milk so mothers should not breast feed their infants.
Side effects
The most frequent side effects seen with Ciclosporin include:
| abnormal kidney function | hepatic dysfunction |
| hypertrichosis | gingival hypertrophy |
| tremor | gastointestinal disturbances |
| hypertension |
burning sensations of hands and feet |
Less common side effects are:
| headaches |
rashes (possible allergic origin) |
| weight increase |
oedema |
| mild anaemia | pancreatitis |
| hyperkalaemia | neuropathy |
| hyperuricaemia | reversible dysmenhorrhoea |
| hypomagnasaemia | muscle weakness, cramps or myopathy |
| hypercholesterolaemia |
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Interactions
Potential interactions due to effects on hepatic microsomal enzymes
- Inhibitors of cytochrome P450 which may decrease metabolism of ciclosporin and thus increase ciclosporin blood levels include:
| clarithromycin | erythromycin | nicardipine |
| danazol | fluconazole | oral contraception |
| diltiazem | ketoconazole | verapamil |
- Inducers of cyctochrome P450 which may increase metabolism of ciclosporin and thus decrease blood levels include:
| barbiturates | phenytoin |
| carbamazaepine | rifampicin |
Interactions due to cumulative toxicity / synergistic effects
- Take care when using ciclosporin in combination with compounds known to have nephrotoxic effects, e.g.: aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin, trimethoprim, amphotericin B, melphalan and NSAIDs.
- Concurrent administration of ciclosporin with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors may enhance risk of rhabdomylosis.
- Concomitant administration of nifedipine and ciclosporin increases the rate of gingival hyperplasia when compared to that for ciclosporin alone, particularly in the presence of poor oral hygiene.
- Since ciclosporin may cause hyperkalemia, potassium sparing diuretics, potassium supplements and high potassium intake should be avoided.
Other interactions
- Vaccines may be less effective and the use of live attenuated vaccines should be avoided.
- Owing to its possible interference with the gastrointestinal cytochrome P450 enzyme system, grapefruit or grapefruit juice should not be taken 1 hour prior to ciclosporin dosing and grapefruit juice should not be used as a diluent for the oral solution.
- This is not a comprehensive list of all potential interactions with ciclosporin. For further information please ask senior members of staff or consult the transplant unit pharmacist.
Levels: (currently under review)
Target levels: 0-3 months: 80-120
After 3 months: 80-100
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