Neoral belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants. Neoral contains a modified form of cyclosporine. It works by slowing down your body's defense system (immune system) to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ, further damaging your joints (in rheumatoid arthritis patients), or further damaging your skin (in psoriasis patients). This medication is used to prevent organ rejection in people who have received a liver, kidney, or heart transplant. It is usually taken along with other medications to allow your new organ to function normally. Neoral is also used to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis and a certain skin condition (severe psoriasis). This drug may also be used to prevent rejection in other types of organ transplants (e.g., cornea, pancreas) or bone marrow transplant. It may also be used to treat other conditions that may be helped by affecting the immune system (e.g., Crohn's disease).
Directions
Take Neoral exactly as prescribed by your doctor. For solid organ transplants, the recommended dose is 10 mg to 15 mg per kilogram of body weight daily (in 2 divided doses) starting at least 12 hours before surgery. For bone marrow transplants, the medication is usually given at a daily dose of about 12.5 mg per kilogram of body weight in 2 divided doses. For treatment of psoriasis, the recommended starting dose is 2 mg per kilogram of body weight per day in 2 divided doses. For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the recommended dose is 2 mg per kilogram of body weight per day in 2 divided doses for the first 6 weeks of treatment. For nephrotic syndrome, the recommended starting dose is 3.5 mg per kilogram of body weight per day for adults and 4.2 mg per kilogram of body weight per day for children. People with reduced kidney function should not receive more than 2.5 mg per kg body weight per day. You may take this medication with or without food. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication.
Precautions
Before taking Neoral you should talk with your doctor if you have liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, low cholesterol, kidney disease, kidney failure, high blood pressure (hypertension), skin cancer, diabetes, lymphoma, infection of any kind, low levels of magnesium in your blood, any allergies. This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Avoid immunizations or vaccinations. Avoid contact with people who have the flu or other contagious illness. The elderly may be at greater risk for the effects on blood pressure and kidneys while using this drug. This medicine may increase the amount of uric acid in your blood, which could cause kidney stones or gout.
Contraindications
You should not take Neoral if you are allergic to cyclosporine or to any of the ingredients of the medication, are taking Neoral for rheumatoid arthritis or psoriasis and have kidney disease, untreated high blood pressure, or cancer, psoriasis. Let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Possible side effect
Get emergency medical help if you have urinating less than usual, drowsiness, confusion, mood changes, increased thirst, swelling, weight gain, feeling short of breath, blurred vision, headache, seizure, muscle pain, weakness, fast heart rate, feeling lightheaded, difficulty breathing, fever, hives, chills, sore throat, flu symptoms, pale skin, nausea, stomach pain, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, loss of appetite, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), tremors, increased hair growth, body pain, diarrhea, constipation, vomiting.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.
Drug interactions
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: aliskiren, allopurinol, blood pressure medicines, ACE inhibitors (benazepril, lisinopril, ramipril, enalapril), lithium, calcium channel blockers, colchicine, cancer medicine (ifosfamide, carmustine, tretinoin), dabigatran, digoxin, echinacea, fentanyl, methotrexate, pain or arthritis medicines (aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, acetaminophen), methylprednisolone, antiviral medicines (cidofovir, adefovir, foscarnet), natalizumab, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (celecoxib, etodolac, diclofenac, ibuprofen, indomethacin), orlistat, pimecrolimus, potassium-sparing diuretics (spironolactone, amiloride, triamterene), statin medications (pitavastatin, simvastatin, fluvastatin), tacrolimus, tolvaptan, topotecan.
Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.
Missed dose
Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose
If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are increased heart rate (tachycardia), increased blood pressure (hypertension), abnormal heart rhythm (arrhythmia), nausea, vomiting, drowsiness, headaches, kidney problems, flushing of the face, changes in taste, muscle twitch, confusion, seizure, tremors.
Storage
Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-77 degrees F (15-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.
Note
The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.
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