Ciclosporin
Ciclosporin suppresses selected immune responses. Systemic transplant or inflammatory-disease products and ciclosporin eye preparations have different uses and are not interchangeable.
Key points
- Systemic ciclosporin requires kidney, blood-pressure, interaction and often blood-level monitoring.
- Different systemic formulations may have different absorption and should not be switched without specialist direction.
- Eye drops act mainly at the ocular surface and do not replace systemic transplant treatment.
Select a listed product and pack to order online. Whether it suits you depends on route, indication and specialist or clinician review; ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What ciclosporin is used for
Systemic ciclosporin may be used to prevent transplant rejection or in selected severe psoriasis. Eye formulations may be used for selected keratoconjunctivitis sicca.
How it works
Ciclosporin inhibits calcineurin and reduces T-cell activation. Whole-body immune suppression is much greater with systemic treatment than with eye preparations.
Important safety checks
For systemic use, review kidney and liver function, blood pressure, infections, vaccines, cancer history, electrolytes and all medicines or supplements. Grapefruit and many prescription medicines can alter exposure.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent help for severe infection, confusion, seizure, chest pain, very little urine, severe weakness, facial swelling or breathing difficulty. New eye pain or sudden visual change needs prompt eye assessment.