side-effects

Last reviewed 01/2018

Treatment with cyclosporin has two major side-effects. The first is infection, the second is nephrotoxicity. Other unwanted effects, notably malignancy, are rarer.

  • nephrotoxicity:
    • this is minimal at doses less than 2.5 mg/kg/day
    • pathological changes occur in blood vessels and nephrons
    • the damage is usually reversible on withdrawal of the drug
    • renal function should be monitored 2-weekly for the first 3 months, if all is normal monitoring should continue monthly
    • if creatinine rises by 30% above the baseline in two consecutive samples then the dose of cyclosporin should be reduced
    • if the creatinine levels do not return to normal within a month then treatment should be stopped

  • hypertension:
    • blood pressure should be monitored

Other possible side effects include:

  • hypertrichosis
  • oedema
  • hepatotoxicity
  • nausea and vomiting
  • central nervous system disorders e.g. confusion, tremor and paraesthesiae
  • there is an increased risk of skin tumours, lymphomata and solid tumours
  • hyperkalaemia
  • thrombo-embolic complications, thrombocytosis
  • effect on glucose tolerence - reduction in insulin production and impaired glucose tolerence
  • other adverse effects include hyperuricaemia, myopathy, infections and gum hyperplasia

Reference:

Related pages:

cyclosporin-induced hypertension