Adverse effects of Cyclosporine in Psoriasis

Cyclosporine is a immunosuppressant drug widely used in post-allogeneic organ transplant such as kidney, liver or heart to reduce the activity of the patient's immune system.

Use of Cyclosporine leads to severe side effects in most of case, what we experience at Berry Skin Care Clinic.

In initial stage of Psoriasis patient may have consume Cyclosporine, priscribed by doctor to suppress immune system and to get positive result in psoriasis, but long of Cyclosporine in psoriasis is not suggested, when patient withdraw Cyclosporine relapse or flare-up is on higher side as compare to earlier stage and thing are severe to treat with mild medicine at that time.

Cyclosporine is a very good immune-suppressive medicine but makes the patient susceptible to infection including cancer such as lymphoma.

Adverse effects, which require immediate medical help (alarming signs) are :

• Hypertension : Above 50% of patients taking cyclosporine develops high blood pressure. Known case of hypertension has a risk of developing heart disease.
• Kidney Dysfunction : Scanty urine presenting as decreased frequency of urination or no urine at all.
• Flu like symptoms as fever chills and sore throat
• Jaundice presenting as yellowing of skin and sclera, dark urine, nausea, clay colored stools.
• Drowsiness, confusion and mood changes
• Easy bruising and bleeding
• Swelling and weight gain

Special precautions before starting cyclosporine :

• A person suffering from any kidney disease, uncontrolled hypertension or cancer are not eligible to take this drug.
• Psoriasis patients who have had certain previous treatments like PUVA, UVB, coal tar, radiation therapy, methotrexate,etc are at higher risk to develop skin cancer.
• Any "live" vaccine taken while you are being treated with cyclosporine will not be effective.
• Do not start using any new medication without informing your doctor. Safest way is to keep a list of all the medicines you use and show this list to the doctor.

Some Important Links you want to Visit :

• Adverse effect of steroids in Psoriasis
• Adverse effect of methotraxate in Psoriasis
• Adverse effect of cyclophosphamide in Psoriasis