Ciclosporin (Cyclosporine)

More than 10% of people will experience:

• Increase in kidney marker
• High blood pressure
• Check your blood pressure frequently
  
• Headache including migraine
• May go away after a few days or with lower doses
• Tremor
• May go away after a few days or with lower doses

• Increased levels of fats (e.g. cholesterol) in the blood
• Your doctor will monitor your blood fat levels regularly

• Inflammation/overgrowth of gums
• This may appear soon after treatment is started and is more common in younger patients
•  Severity depends on the condition of your teeth and whether there is proper brushing/flossing (pay particular attention to the base of the teeth)
• Visit your dentist regularly
• Hair overgrowth in male-like pattern (eg face, chest, back)

 Other common side effects include:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Take this medication after food.

 As this medication reduces your body's own defense mechanisms, your body may not be as efficient at fighting infections. You may therefore be at higher risk of infection such as infections of the brain, skin, mouth, stomach and intestines, lungs and urinary tract.

You may need to have regular blood tests as instructed by your doctor to monitor for side effects and the amount of this medication in your body.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse if you have any side effects. This includes any side effects not listed in this leaflet. However, do not stop taking your medicine unless you have discussed this with your doctor first.

Rare but serious side-effects include:

• Inform your healthcare professional if:
• If you have cancer, kidney problems, or high blood pressure.
• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• Seek prompt advice from your doctor when you develop any symptoms of infection e.g. fever. sore throat, yellow/green phlegm. urinary tract infection.
• Your doctor will decide whether to stop Ciclosporin on a case-by-case basis.
• Avoid prolonged sun exposure. Use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) and wear protective clothing when outdoors.

• Avoid taking grapefruits, pomelo, pineapple, or starfruit during treatment with Ciclosporin.
• You should avoid live vaccines such as live polio, yellow fever, rubella (German measles), MMR (measles, mumps and rubella), typhoid and BCG (tuberculosis). Flu and pneumococcal vaccines are safe and may be given if required.
• Always check with the doctor or pharmacist first before using any medications including over-the-counter medicines.
• Do not take any supplements. alternative or herbal medicines without informing your doctor.