CiclosporinWhy are you taking it?
Ciclosporin belongs to the second family of drugs used to treat arthritis and inflammatory disease. It works by damping down inflammation It has no direct pain relieving effect, so you will need to continue your other arthritis tablets.
How and when is it to be taken?
It is taken 2 or 3 times a day. This will depend on the dose
of the drug you are taking. The dose is different depending on
your weight. They are capsules. Missing the occasional tablet
does not matter. Don't 'double up' on capsules.
Do not take with grapefruit juice.
Are there any side effects, and what are they?
All medication can cause side-effects in some people. It is a question of balancing the risk of side-effects against the benefits of treatment. Some side-effects that can be caused by Ciclosporin are:
- Nausea, sickness.
- Some women notice more prominent hair growing on their chins.
- Occasionally you may otice a shake or tremor.
- Muscle cramps or weakness.
- Can increase blood pressure and affect kidney function.
- As with all drugs it is important to avoid becoming pregnant while taking this treatment.
Why is careful monitoring so important?
We recommend a check of blood pressure and a blood test to look at the kidneys: fortnightly to begin with, then monthly. This will be arranged at the surgery. In this way we can pick up early changes. The monitoring is for your safety.
If unable to attend, please telephone for another appointment.
If you have any questions, queries or worries about your treatment, please contact your local rheumatology nurse.