Cyclosporin A
Cyclosporin A Information

About Cyclosporin A

Cyclosporin A is a cyclic peptide produced as a metabolite by the soil fungus Tolypocladium inflatum Gams. Cyclosporin A is immunosuppressive agent and effective to prevent rejection in oragn transplant patients.

Indications

Cyclosporin A is primarily indicated in conditions like Allograft rejection prevention, Allograft rejection treatment, Atopic dermatitis, Bone marrow transplantation, Organ transplantation, Severe active rheumatoid arthritis, Severe psoriasis, and can also be given in adjunctive therapy as an alternative drug of choice in Asthma, Nephrotic syndrome, Primary biliary cirrhosis, Psoriasis, Sarcoidosis, Systemic lupus erythematosus, Ulcerative colitis, Uveitis.

Contraindication

Cyclosporin A is contraindicated in conditions like Renal impairment,Uncontrolled infection,Uncontrolled hypertension,Malignancy.

Side Effects

The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Cyclosporin A, which give rise to further complications include Hypertension.Cyclosporin A produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Convulsions, Nephrotoxicity, Neoplasia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Cyclosporin A therapy.The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Cyclosporin A are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include GI reactions, Tremor, Hepatotoxicity, Paresthesias, Hypertrichosis, Gingival hypertrophy, Hyperesthesia.

Warnings

Cyclosporin A is not recommended for use during pregnancy or lactation. Immunosuppressant drug should not be given, where possible, to patients with acute infection, dosage reduction or withdrawal should be considered if infection develops, until the infection has been controlled. Blood counts and measurement of hemoglobin concentration should be carried out routinely; it helps to predict the onset of bone marrow depression. It must be handled with great care and avoid contact with skin and eyes and should not be inhaled. Cyclosporine can cause infection and possibly lymphoma, and is toxic to the kidneys. The use of this drug along with other drugs that are toxic to the kidneys must be closely monitored. It should be ingested and swallowed in its capsule without breaking the capsule. The liquid solution should only be mixed in a glass container. Pregnant or nursing women should not take this drug, and patients taking this drug will be more susceptible to infection. Therefore, crowds of people should be avoided, and no live vaccines should be adminstered to the patient without consulting the patient's doctor. Patients should inform their doctor of any hypersensitivities or drug allergies they have before taking this drug. (Cyclosporine in both liquid and capsule form has some castor oil components in it, which could cause an allergic reaction for some.) Some allergic reactions to the I. V. solution may be severe. This drug has not been specifically studied for use with the elderly.

High Risk Groups

Drug should not be given to Pregnant Mothers, Cardiac / Hypertensive Patients, patients suffering from Kidney dysfunction, Geriatrics, and Neonates.If prescribing authority justifies the benefits of the drug against the possible damages he/she should reevaluate them and consult the reference material and previous studies.