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USES: This medication is used to prevent organ rejection in people who have received a liver, kidney, or heart transplant. It is usually used along with other medications to allow your new organ to function normally. Cyclosporine belongs to a class of drugs known as immunosuppressants. It works by slowing down your body's defense system (immune system) to prevent your body from rejecting a transplanted organ.Because of the risk of severe allergic reactions from intravenous cyclosporine, it should be used only in patients who are unable to take cyclosporine by mouth. (See also How to Use section.) Once you are able to take medications by mouth, you should be switched from this form of cyclosporine to either the capsules or oral solution.OTHER This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.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, ulcerative colitis).

HOW TO USE: This medication is given into a vein by a healthcare professional, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition, cyclosporine blood level, kidney function, and response to therapy. Follow the dosing schedule for this medication carefully.If you are using this medication at home, follow all instructions for proper mixing and dilution with the correct IV fluids. This medication reacts with plastic to release a chemical that may be harmful. Therefore, use a glass IV bottle and special tubing whenever possible to prevent the release of the chemical from plastic IV bags/tubing. Consult your pharmacist for more information.Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid.When cyclosporine is given into a vein, one of the other ingredients in this product, polyoxyethylated castor oil, may rarely cause a serious allergic reaction. If you are using this medication at home, be prepared to self-treat as directed by your doctor if symptoms of an allergic reaction occur. (See Side Effects section for list of symptoms.) Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.Inject this medication as directed, usually over 2-6 hours. Giving this medication too fast can cause nausea, flushing, and possible kidney damage.Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day.This medication works best when the amount of medicine in your body is kept at a constant level. Therefore, use this drug at evenly spaced intervals.Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.

Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration   You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088. Need help identifying pills and medications? Use the pill identifier tool on RxList.