WHAT IS Neoral/Cyclosporine CAPSULES?

Neoral/CYCLOSPORINE is used to decrease the immune system's response to a transplanted organ. The medicine is also used for rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis. This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

WHAT SIDE EFFECTS MAY I NOTICE FROM Neoral/Cyclosporine?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
• severe stomach pain
• vomiting
• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• increased urge to urinate or frequent urination
• high blood pressure
• changes in vision
• numbness or tingling in the hands and feet
• seizures

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• excessive hair growth on the face or body
• bleeding or tender gums, overgrowth of gum tissue
• tremors
• nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

WHAT IF I MISS A DOSE?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses. Call your doctor or health care professional if you miss more than one dose or if you miss doses on a regular basis.

WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS BEFORE I TAKE Neoral/Cyclosporine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• immune system problems
• liver disease
• breast feeding
• kidney disease
• cancer
• an unusual or allergic reaction to Neoral/cyclosporine, alcohol, corn oil ( Neoral only), castor oil, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• infection
• high blood pressure
• previous coal tar, PUVA, ultraviolet, or radiation therapy

WHAT SHOULD I WATCH FOR WHILE USING Neoral/Cyclosporine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. You will have regular blood checks. Do not change the brand of medicine unless directed by your doctor or health care professional.

If you get a cold or other infection while receiving this medicine, call your doctor or health care professional. Do not treat yourself. The medicine may decrease your body's ability to fight infections.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

The medicine can cause unusual growth of gum tissue and can make your gums bleed. Practice good oral hygiene, and be careful when brushing and flossing your teeth. See your dentist regularly.

WHERE SHOULD I KEEP Neoral/Cyclosporine?

Keep the medicine in the original packaging. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store Neoral between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F).

Store Gengraf between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F).

WHAT MAY INTERACT WITH Neoral/Cyclosporine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following:

• red yeast rice, monascus purpureus
• bosentan
• mibefradil
• cidofovir
• ranolazine
• cisapride
• St. John's wort
• Prograf/tacrolimus

This medicine may also interact with the following:

• medicines for cholesterol like Mevacor/lovastatin, Vytorin/simvastatin, Lipitor/atorvastatin, and Tricor/fenofibrate
• Zovirax/acyclovir
• octreotide
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like Motrin/ibuprofen or Anaprox/naproxen
• Lanoxin/digoxin
• triamterene
• Trileptal/oxcarbazepine
• imatinib
• certain antibiotics
• Cordarone/amiodarone
• Zyloprim/allopurinol
• sirolimus
• sulfinpyrazone
• vaccines
• Reglan/metoclopramide
• medicines for fungal infections like amphotericin B, Diflucan/fluconazole, Sporanox/itraconazole, Lamisil/terbinafine, and Nizoral/ketoconazole
• colchicine
• voriconazole
• steroid medicines like Sterapred/prednisone or cortisone
• Xenical/orlistat
• Epitol/carbamazepine
• Danocrine/danazol
• Zantac/ranitidine
• Ticlid/ticlopidine
• phenobarbital
• medicines that suppress the immune system
• medicines for HIV infection like Crixivan/indinavir, Viracept/nelfinavir, Norvir/ritonavir, and saquinavir
• Parlodel/bromocriptine
• Aldactone/spironolactone
• Rheumatrex/methotrexate
• amiloride
• female hormones, including contraceptive or birth control pills
• melphalan
• medicines for blood pressure like Cardizem cd/Diltiazem cd/diltiazem , nicardipine, Isoptin sr/verapamil, Vasotec/enalapril , Altace/ramipril, and losartan
• Phenytek er/phenytoin
• cimetidine

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care providers a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

HOW SHOULD I USE Neoral/Cyclosporine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Do not take with grapefruit juice. Swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew or break the capsule. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your medicine at regular intervals. Take the capsules at the same time each day and at the same time in relation to meals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your doctor's advice.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 1 year for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

Note: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.