Sandimmum Neoral

Transplantation indications: Solid organ transplantation, Bone marrow transplantation

Non-transplantation indications: Endogenous uveitis, Nephrotic syndrome, Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Atopic dermatitis.

Cyclosporine binds to cyclophilin. The complex then inhibits calcineurin which is normally responsible for activating transcription of interleukin 2. Cyclosporine also inhibits lymphokine production and interleukin release. In ophthalmic applications, the precise mechanism of action is not known. Cyclosporine emulsion is thought to act as a partial immunomodulator in patients whose tear production is presumed to be suppressed due to ocular inflammation associated with keratoconjunctivitis sicca.

Drugs that decrease Cyclosporine levels: Barbiturates, carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, nafcillin, sulfadimidine i.v., rifampicin, octreotide, probucol, orlistat, hypericum perforatum, ticlopidine, sulfinpyrazone, terbinafine, bosentan.

Drugs that increase Cyclosporine levels: Macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, azithromycin and clarithromycin), ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, voriconazole, diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil, lercanidipine, metoclopramide, oral contraceptives, danazol, methylprednisolone (high dose), allopurinol, amiodarone, cholic acid and derivatives, protease inhibitors, imatinib, colchicine.

Other relevant drug interactions: Cyclosporine may reduce the clearance of digoxin, colchicine, prednisolone and HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors (statins).

Renal dysfunction; Hypertension; Tremor, headache, paraesthesia; Anorexia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, gingival hyperplasia and hepatic dysfunction; Hyperlipidaemia, hyperuricaemia, hyperkalaemia, hypomagnesaemia; Muscle cramps, myalgia and rarely muscle weakness, myopathy; Usually uncommon but anaemia, thrombocytopenia can occur; Hypertrichosis and allergic rashes.

Pregnancy: There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women and, therefore, Cyclosporine should not be used during pregnancy unless the potential benefit to the mother justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Lactation: Cyclosporine passes into breast milk. Mothers receiving treatment with Cyclosporine should not breast-feed.

Cyclosporine increases the risk of developing lymphomas and other malignancies, particularly those of the skin. So patients should be warned to avoid excess ultraviolet light exposure.

Cyclosporine may develop bacterial, fungal, parasitic and viral infections. So therapeutic strategies should be employed for long-term immunosuppressive therapy.

A reversible increase in serum creatinine and urea may occur during the first few weeks of Cyclosporine therapy and usually responding to dose reduction. In elderly patients, renal function should be monitored with particular care.

Regular monitoring of blood pressure is required during Cyclosporine therapy; if hypertension develops, appropriate antihypertensive treatment must be instituted.

Cyclosporine enhances the risk of hyperkalaemia, especially in patients with renal dysfunction. Caution is also required when Cyclosporine is co-administered with potassium sparing drugs. Cyclosporine enhances the clearance of magnesium. If considered necessary, magnesium supplementation should be given. Caution should be observed in treating patients with hyperuricaemia. During treatment with Cyclosporine, vaccination may be less effective; the use of live-attenuated vaccines should be avoided.

Non-transplant patients with impaired renal function, uncontrolled hypertension, uncontrolled infections, or any kind of malignancy should not receive Cyclosporine.

Immunosuppressant, Vaccines, Anti-sera & Immunoglobulin

Renal dysfunction, which resolve following drug withdrawal, may occur. Elimination can be achieved only by nonspecific measures, including gastric lavage, as Cyclosporine is not dialyzable to any great extent, nor is it cleared well by charcoal hemoperfusion.

Sporium oral solution should be used within 2 months of opening the bottle and be stored between 15 to 30° C, preferably not below 20° C for prolonged periods, as it contains oily components which tend to solidify at low temperatures. A jelly-like formation may occur below 20° C, which is reversible at temperatures up to 30° C. Slight sediment may still be observed which does not affect the efficacy and safety of the product.