CYCLOPHIL ME 25 mg Capsule

WHAT IS CYCLOSPORINE?

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug meaning it suppresses your body’s immune power. The immune system helps your body to guard against invading foreign bodies which can cause infections and illnesses thereby preventing common or dangerous diseases.

The same immune system can be a disadvantage during an organ transplant as it will treat the organ to be implanted as a foreign body and your body will reject it (organ) completely from integrating.

Cyclosporine is used along with other medications to stop your body from rejecting a transplanted heart, liver, or kidney.

This medication may also be given for conditions other than that mentioned here.

Cyclosporine oral is sold under various trade names, a couple of which are Sandimmune and Panimum (made by Panacea (India)).

IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT CYCLOSPORINE:

Cyclosporine (Sandimmune, Panimum) being an immunosuppressive drug may increase your likelihood of catching serious and life threatening infections, cancer, or render the transplant useless.

Therefore, it is important that you avoid contact with sick people or places where chances of catching an infection are high like a hospital.

While taking this medication, you will be required to undergo regular medical tests to ensure that it is not causing dangerous effects. Don’t avoid any prescribed tests.

Cyclosporine can be detrimental to your kidney health, and the danger increases many fold if you also take some other drugs that are damaging to kidneys. So tell your doctor beforehand if you take any other medications including OTCs or related products.

Cyclosporine has the potential to cause some serious side effects such as kidney failure and life threatening infections.

Seek immediate medical attention at the first sign of a potential kidney damage (less or no urination, rapid weight gain, or swelling), or an infection (fever, sweating, chills, sore throat, or flu symptoms).

Cyclosporine may not be suitable for you if you have kidney disease, untreated or uncontrolled hypertension, cancer, or psoriasis that has been treated with PUCA, UVB, radiation, methotrexate, or coal tar.

BEFORE TAKING CYCLOSPORINE:

Don’t take Cyclosporine medication (Sandimmune, Panimum) if you are allergic to it. Cyclosporine lowers blood cells that are primary bodyguard against infections.
It can also cause your body to generate a large quantity of certain white blood cells.

All of these can result in serious and sometimes fatal outcomes like cancer, serious brain infection that can cause disability or death, or your body catching a virus that can lead to failure of a transplanted kidney.
Cyclosporine usage over a long time may also increase a likelihood of developing skin cancer. Ask your doctor about all the risks associated with this medication.

Cyclosporine is categorized as a FDA pregnancy category C drug. Effects of this drug on unborn baby are not known.
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. Cyclosporine can pass into breast milk and harm your baby. It is not recommended if you are nursing a baby.

HOW SHOULD I TAKE CYCLOSPORINE?

You must take Cyclosporine medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Don?t alter the prescribed dosage in any way unless or otherwise directed by your doctor who may occasionally change your dosage. Always store Cyclosporine medication in a cool and dry place. Ensure that children or pets don?t have access to it or any other medications.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE OF CYCLOSPORINE?

Don’t forget to take the Cyclosporine at the scheduled time. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember it.

However don’t take the missed dose if time to take the next dose is almost near. Take the next dose on its time and follow the normal schedule. Never double dose on this or any medication

WHAT IF I OVERDOSE?

In case of an overdose, seek emergency medical help or call the Doctor immediately. Overdose may lead to nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, appetite loss, or urinating less than usual or not at all.

THINGS AND ACTIVITIES TO AVOID WHILE TAKING CYCLOSPORINE:

Avoid grapefruit and related products while taking Cyclosporine as grapefruit consumption along with Cyclosporine can cause unwanted side effects. Don’t go near sick people; let your doctor know immediately if you develop an infection.

Don’t get a live vaccine while taking Cyclosporine. The vaccine will not be effective and at the same time lead to serious infections.

CYCLOSPORINE SIDE EFFECTS:

Hives
Breathing difficulty
Swelling in different places
Fever
Chills
Bodyaches
Flu symptopms
Change in mental state
Vision problems
Speech and walking problems
Pale or yellow colored skin
Dark urine
Weakness or confusion
Concentration difficulty
Light headedness
Shortness of breath
Increase heart rate
Decrease urination
Cough with mucus or blood
Excessive sweating
Tremors
Increased potassium in blood (muscle weakness, tingy feeling)
Low magnesium (slow reflexes, jerky muscle movements)
High blood pressure
High sugar
Stomach pain
Constipation
Nausea
Headache
Insomnia
Swelling in limbs

CYCLOSPORINE DOSING INFORMATION:

Dosing of Cyclosporine depends on various factors and your doctor may fix an appropriate dose for you after thorough examination and tests. Seriousness of condition, age, sex and a host of other factors are taken into consideration while deciding the dosage of Cyclosporine. Strictly stick to the prescribed dosage for best results.

INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS:

Some of the drugs that are damaging to kidneys when taken while also taking Cyclosporine can be very damaging to the kidneys.

Those drugs are St John’s Wort; stomach acid reducers; an antibiotic or antifungal medication; cancer drugs, cholesterol reducing drugs; gout medication; drugs for psoriasis, rheumatoid arthritis, or other autoimmune diseases; or NSAIDs(ibuprofen, naproxen and others).

Some other interacting drugs are birth control pills, diuretics, HIV/AIDS drugs; seizure drugs; or steroidal drugs.

These are not all the drugs that can interact with Cyclosporine and there may be other drugs which can interact with it. Share your medical history and list of all present medications which you may be taking. Do not start a new medication without proper medical advice.

USES OF CYCLOPHIL ME CAPSULE

• Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Psoriasis

BENEFITS OF CYCLOPHIL ME CAPSULE

In Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule belongs to a group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. It lowers your immune response and reduces the chance of your body attacking the transplanted organ.

Organ rejection happens when your immune system treats the new organ as an invader and attacks it. This medicine suppresses the immune system and helps your body accept the new organ as if it were your own.

In Rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition where your body’s immune system (which usually fights bacteria and viruses) attacks your body’s own cells.

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule stops that from happening and can relieve the symptoms of this condition such as pain, swelling, and stiffness in your joints.
It can also slow down joint damage, reduce disability, and enable you to be as active for as long as possible.

It can take several weeks or months to notice the effect of the medicine. You should continue taking it until your doctor says it is okay to stop using the medicine.

In Psoriasis

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule can be used to treat severe psoriasis when other treatments have not worked or are not appropriate.

Psoriasis happens when skin cells are replaced more quickly than usual. This medicine can improve your skin and reduce the symptoms of rash, redness, and pain.

The improvement in the appearance of your skin can boost your confidence and improve your life. Psoriasis is a long-term condition. You should keep taking this medicine for as long as it is prescribed.

SIDE EFFECTS OF CYCLOPHIL ME CAPSULE

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Cyclophil ME

• Headache
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Increased hair growth
• High blood pressure
• Renal dysfunction
• Loss of appetite
• Diarrhea
• Tremors

HOW TO USE CYCLOPHIL ME CAPSULE

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule is to be taken with food.

HOW CYCLOPHIL ME CAPSULE WORKS

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule is an immunosuppressant. It works by suppressing your body’s immune response to help accept a newly transplanted organ (e.g., liver, kidney, or heart).

In rheumatoid arthritis, this immunosuppressive effect reduces inflammation (swelling) of joints and limits joint damage.

In psoriasis, it works by reducing the activity of certain immune cells that cause overproduction of skin cells, thus improving scaling and redness.

SAFETY ADVICE

Alcohol

Consuming alcohol with Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule does not cause any harmful side effects.

Pregnancy

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

Breast feeding

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby.

Driving

It is not known whether Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react.

Kidney

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.

Liver

Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule may be needed. Please consult your doctor.
Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.

WHAT IF YOU FORGET TO TAKE CYCLOPHIL ME CAPSULE?

If you miss a dose of Cyclophil ME 25 Capsule, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose.