Psorid® Capsules/Solution

Description

What is Cyclosporine 25mg/50mg/100mg ?

Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressive drug that was first used to help prevent rejection in organ transplant patients. In 1997, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Cyclosporine, for adults with severe psoriasis and otherwise normal immune systems. Cyclosporine suppresses the immune system and slows down the growth of certain immune cells.

Cyclosporine oral capsule is used to treat inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis and severe psoriasis. It’s also used to prevent the rejection of an organ transplant. Psorid® Cyclosporine 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.

Cyclosporine works by weakening your immune system. White blood cells, part of your immune system, normally fight substances in your body that aren’t there naturally, such as a transplanted organ. Cyclosporine stops white blood cells from attacking a transplanted organ. In the case of RA or psoriasis, cyclosporine stops your immune system from mistakenly attacking your own body tissues.

Cyclosporine systemic is used in the treatment of Cogan’s Syndrome, Crohn’s Disease, Eczema, Evan’s Syndrome, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, Graft-versus-host disease, Idiopathic, Thrombocytopenic Purpura, Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Nephrotic Syndrome, Organ Transplant, Rejection Prophylaxis, Pemphigoid, Pemphigus, Psoriasis, Psoriatic Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ulcerative Colitis, Ulcerative Colitis, Active.

How Is Cyclosporine Used?

Cyclosporine is taken daily by mouth in capsule or liquid form. The liquid form must be diluted for use, preferably mixed at room temperature with orange or apple juice. Do not mix with grapefruit juice.

Cyclosporine must be taken on a consistent schedule. Cyclosporine is most often used for recalcitrant psoriasis that does not respond to other systemic treatments. Cyclosporine can provide rapid relief from symptoms. You may see some improvement in symptoms after two weeks of treatment, particularly with stronger doses. However, it may take from three to four months to reach optimal control.

Extended use of cyclosporine by transplant patients is well-established. However, long-term use as a treatment for psoriasis is more limited. The FDA recommends cyclosporine not be used for longer than one year. However, there are no specific guidelines for how long you should stay off cyclosporine before resuming treatment. Some doctors may prescribe the drug for more than one year.

Cyclosporine can be used with the topical drugs Dovonex – Calcipotriene is a form of vitamin D and Vectical – Calcitriol ointment. When using these topicals, lower doses of cyclosporine may be given, lessening the risk of side effects.

Warning For Psoriasis Patients:

Psoriasis patients previously treated with PUVA and to a lesser extent, methotrexate or other immunosuppressive agents, UVB, coal tar, or radiation therapy, are at an increased risk of developing skin malignancies when taking Ciclosporine. Ciclosporine in recommended dosages, can cause systemic hypertension and nephrotoxicity. The risk increases with increasing the dose and duration of cyclosporine therapy. Renal dysfunction, including structural kidney damage, is a potential consequence of cyclosporine, and therefore, renal function must be monitored during therapy.

Side effects of Cyclosporine

The more common side effects that occur with cyclosporine include high blood pressure, low magnesium levels in your body, blood clots in your kidneys, stomach pain, hair growth in certain areas, acne, tremors, headache, increased size of your gums. If these effects are mild, they may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If they’re more severe or don’t go away, talk to your doctor.

Serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following. Liver damage. Symptoms may include blood in urine, dark urine, pale stools, yellowing of your skin, or the whites of your eyes, pain in your upper abdomen.

How to use Psorid® Capsules Cyclosporine

Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. You may take this medication with or without food, but it is important to choose one way and take this medication the same way with every dose.

The dosage is based on your weight, medical condition, lab tests, and response to treatment.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so safely. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine.

Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.

Dosage for psoriasis:

• Oral capsule strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg
• Adult dosage (ages 18 years and older) Dosage is based on weight. Typical starting dosage: 2.5 mg/kg per day, divided into two doses (1.25 mg/kg per dose). Maximum dosage: 4 mg/kg per day.
• Note: If you don’t have good results after 6 weeks at the maximum tolerated dose, your doctor will have you stop taking cyclosporine.