Sandimmune Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant. Sandimmune is given after organ transplant surgery to help prevent rejection of organs including such as kidney, heart, or liver by holding down the body's immune system. It is also used to avoid long-term rejection in people previously treated with other immunosuppressant drugs, such as Imuran. Some doctors also prescribe Sandimmune to treat alopecia areata, aplastic anemia, Crohn's disease and kidney disease. Sandimmune is sometimes used in the treatment of severe skin disorders, including psoriasis.

Sandimmune Dosage

• For Psoriasis or Rheumatoid Arthritis, the starting dosage is 2.5 milligrams of Neoral per 2.2 pounds of body weight divided into 2 doses per day. Your doctor may also increase the daily dose to a maximum of 4 milligrams per 2.2 pounds.
• Dosage is generally the same for children as for adults, though somewhat higher doses are sometimes needed.

Uses of Sandimmune

• Cyclosporine is used to prevent your body from rejecting a kidney, liver, or heart transplant.
• Cyclosporine may be used in combination with another immunosuppressant and a steroid medication.
• Cyclosporine (e.g. Neoral) are also used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis.

Side Effects of Sandimmune

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Sandimmune. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal discomfort
• acne
• breathing difficulty
• convulsions
• coughing
• cramps
• diarrhea
• flu-like symptoms
• flushing
• headache
• liver damage
• lymph system tumor
• muscle
• sinus inflammation
• vomiting
• wheezing

Warnings and precautions before taking Sandimmune:

• This drug can raise blood pressure, especially in older people. If high blood pressure develops while you are taking Neoral for transplant rejection, then doctor will prescribe blood pressure medication. If it develops while you are taking the drug for arthritis or psoriasis, the doctor may lower your dose.
• You should not try to change dosage forms without consulting your doctor.
• Sandimmune and Neoral are not directly interchangeable. Your doctor may need to adjust the dosage if you switch.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Sandimmune, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Sandimmune medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Sandimmune with the following:

• Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• Bromocriptine (Parlodel)
  
• Colchicine
  
• Danazol (Danocrine)
  
• Erythromycin (E.E.S., Erythrocin, others)
  
• Fluconazole (Diflucan)
  
• Gentamicin (Garamycin)
  
• Indinavir (Crixivan)
  
• Ketoconazole (Nizoral)
  
• Lovastatin (Mevacor)
  
• Metoclopramide (Reglan)
  
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Clinoril and Naprasyn
  
• Orlistat (Xenical)
  
• Phenobarbital
  
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
  
• Prednisolone (Delta-Cortef, Prelone)
  
• Quinupristin (Synercid)

Overdose

Although no specific information is available, an overdose of Sandimmune would be expected to cause liver and kidney problems. When you are taking Sandimmune, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately.