Types

• Cyclosporine is available in capsule and liquid form. The liquid form was designed to make the drug easier to get into the blood stream in order to speed up the effectiveness. It is important that cyclosporine, both the capsule and liquid forms, be taken on a strict schedule, at the same time each day. This will help maintain the targeted level of the drug in the system and produce the desired effects. When prescribed for preventing organ transplant rejection, the dosage will be much higher in the beginning of the treatment. As time goes on and the body heals and adapts to the new organ, dosage is slowly decreased.
  
  

Arthritis

• Cyclosporine is also used to treat arthritis. If used to treat the swelling of rheumatoid arthritis, cyclosporine will treat the symptoms, but will not successfully cure the problem. For this treatment, the dosage will begin low and then slowly be increased until the desired effect is achieved.
  
  

Psoriasis

• Cyclosporine can be used to treat the symptoms of psoriasis, but, as with arthritis, will not cure the problem.
  
  

Crohn's Disease

• Another disease a doctor may choose to treat with cyclosporine is Crohn's disease. With Crohn's disease, the body rejects the lining of the digestive tract. The effect is similar to the rejection of a transplanted organ by the body.
  
  

Warning

• Before taking cyclosporine, it is important to identify the inactive ingredients to make sure they will not cause an allergic reaction. The patient should be sure to talk with the pharmacist, as well as the doctor, about any dietary supplements taken. This includes herbal supplements, other prescription drugs, vitamins and minerals, as well as nonprescription drugs. It is important that nothing is included in the diet that will cause an adverse reaction when mixed with cyclosporine.
  
  

Side Effects

• Cyclosporine has unwanted side effects including acne, dizziness, headache, nausea, congestion, drowsiness and vomiting.