Cyclosporine is a medication used to prevent organ rejection in kidney, liver or heart transplant patients. According to Drugs.com, it can also be used to treat psoriasis (a severe skin disease) and rheumatoid arthritis. Cyclosporine is an immunosupressant that helps to deactivate abnormal immune system responses. This medication is available as a capsule or liquid, and you should take this medication as your doctor prescribes.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, cyclosporine typically causes headache, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting and increased hair growth. Vomiting and diarrhea can lead to dehydration and low potassium levels (hypokalemia). Physical manifestations of dehydration include trouble breathing, hives and swelling of the throat, lips and tongue. Drink six to 10 glasses of water daily to rehydrate yourself. Physical symptoms of hypokalemia include fatigue, constipation and muscle weakness. Eat apricots, raisins or bananas as these foods are rich in potassium. Cyclosporine can also cause a headache, trouble sleeping, body pain, and numbness or tingling. MedlinePlus indicates that cyclosporine can cause flatulence (gas), depression, heartburn and trouble sleeping. Drugs.com indicates that cyclosporine also causes photosensitivity, a condition in which the skin is extremely sensitive to sunlight. Wear long-sleeved garments and apply sunblock daily. Talk to your doctor when cyclosporine causes these effects.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine indicates that cyclosporine must be taken with adrenal corticosteroids, because cyclosporine makes you susceptible to infection. Corticosteroids actively suppress your immune system. Cyclosporine can also lead to nephrotoxicity (kidney damage). Signs of nephrotoxicity include a severely elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level. BUN refers to a substance produced in your kidneys at high rates during kidney injury. Your doctor must monitor you on a regular basis and check your blood BUN levels while you take cyclosporine.
Cyclosporine can also cause hypertension (high blood pressure), tremors, hirsutism and hypomagnesemia. Hypertension can make you susceptible to developing a heart attack or stroke. Hirsutism refers to increased hair growth on the face or body. Signs of hypomagnesemia include muscle cramping, confusion, hallucinations and a fast heartbeat. Inform your physician when cyclosporine causes these effects.
Additional Concerns
Inform you doctor if you have kidney disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure or any type of cancer, says Drugs.com. You may not be able to take cyclosporine, as it may worsen these conditions. Cyclosporine contaminates breast milk, so tell your doctor if you plan to breastfeed. He can recommend another anti-rejection medication. Tell your doctor if you are taking flucanozole, ramipril, quinapril, rifampin or terbinafine, because the combination of cyclosporine with these medications can be hazardous and lead to the aforementioned side effects.
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