Sandimmune ratings & reviews

Cyclosporine
Company: Novartis
Brand: Sandimmune
+2 more
Sandimmune, Cequa, Restasis
Drug class: Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents
+2 more
Antineoplastic and Immunomodulating Agents, Agents that Suppress the Immune System, Calcineurin Inhibitors
Overall rating
3.3
full star full star full star empty star empty star
Ranked #60
Physician ratings
  • Efficacy: effective for its intended use
  • Safety: safe to use in humans
  • Tolerability: low drug side effects
  • Accessibility: insurance/payer coverage, cost, affordability,formulary coverage, availability in your hospital or practice setting
  • Adherence: patient compliance with treatment
Efficacy
3.5/5
Safety
3.1/5
Tolerability
3.0/5
Accessibility
3.5/5
Adherence
3.3/5

Sermo AI Overview

  • Sandimmune has been reported to have weak efficacy in treating rheumatoid arthritis, with some rheumatologists giving it low efficacy scores. This leads to low overall satisfaction, particularly concerning adherence and accessibility for patients.
  • While Sandimmune is considered relatively safe and is used for preventing kidney transplant rejection, users express mixed feelings regarding its effectiveness and tolerability, indicating potential challenges in adherence.
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Based on insights from Sermo’s triple verified physicians

Description

Sandimmune contains cyclosporine, USP, an immunosuppressant agent that is a cyclic polypeptide. It is available in capsule form with strengths of 25 mg and 100 mg and is intended for oral administration. Key inactive ingredients include methanol, sodium lauryl sulfate, and talc. Sandimmune is designed to lower the immune system response.

Source: This information is sourced from FDA and powered by AI

Dosage & Administration

How should I use this medication?

This medication is infused into a vein. It is given by a care team in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

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 if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

Where should I keep my medication?

This medication is given in a hospital or clinic. It will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

Side Effects

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

  • Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
  • Dizziness, loss of balance or coordination, confusion or trouble speaking
  • Hemolytic anemia—unusual weakness or fatigue, dizziness, headache, trouble breathing, dark urine, yellowing skin or eyes
  • High potassium level—muscle weakness, fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Increase in blood pressure
  • Infection—fever, chills, cough, sore throat, wounds that don't heal, pain or trouble when passing urine, general feeling of discomfort or being unwell
  • Kidney injury—decrease in the amount of urine, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet
  • Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
  • Pain, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet, muscle weakness, change in vision, confusion or trouble speaking, loss of balance or coordination, trouble walking, seizures
  • Unusual bruising or bleeding

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

  • Diarrhea
  • Nausea
  • Sensitive or irritated gums or teeth
  • Tremors or shaking
  • Unexpected hair growth

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings & Precautions

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

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

  • Gout
  • High blood pressure
  • Infection
  • Kidney disease
  • Liver disease
  • Recent vaccinations
  • An unusual or allergic reaction to cyclosporine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
  • Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
  • Breastfeeding

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

  • Bosentan
  • Cidofovir
  • Cisapride
  • Mibefradil
  • Ranolazine
  • Red yeast rice, monascus purpureus
  • St. John's Wort
  • Tacrolimus

This medication may also interact with the following:

  • Acyclovir
  • Allopurinol
  • Amiloride
  • Amiodarone
  • Bromocriptine
  • Carbamazepine
  • Certain antibiotics
  • Cimetidine
  • Colchicine
  • Danazol
  • Digoxin
  • Estrogen and progestin hormones
  • Imatinib
  • Medications for fungal infections, such as amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, terbinafine, and ketoconazole
  • Medications for blood pressure, such as diltiazem, nicardipine, verapamil, enalapril, ramipril, and losartan
  • Medications for cholesterol, such as lovastatin, simvastatin, atorvastatin, and fenofibrate
  • Medications for HIV infection, such as indinavir, nelfinavir, ritonavir, and saquinavir
  • Medications that suppress the immune system
  • Melphalan
  • Methotrexate
  • Metoclopramide
  • NSAIDs, medications for pain and inflammation, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
  • Octreotide
  • Orlistat
  • Oxcarbazepine
  • Phenobarbital
  • Phenytoin
  • Ranitidine
  • Sirolimus
  • Spironolactone
  • Steroid medications, such as prednisone or cortisone
  • Sulfinpyrazone
  • Ticlopidine
  • Triamterene
  • Vaccines
  • Voriconazole

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider 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.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be carefully monitored while you are taking this medication. You may need blood work while you are receiving this medication.

This medication may increase your risk of getting an infection. Call your care team for advice if you get a fever, chills, sore throat, or other symptoms of a cold or flu. Do not treat yourself. Try to avoid being around people who are sick.

Tenderness, swelling, or minor bleeding of the gums may occur. Talk to your dentist if this happens. Brushing and flossing your teeth regularly may reduce the risk of side effects. Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Tell your dentist about any medications you are taking.

Talk to your care team if you wish to become pregnant or think you might be pregnant. This medication can cause serious birth defects.

Talk to your care team about your risk of skin cancer. You may be more at risk for skin cancer if you take this medication.

Some products may contain alcohol. Ask your pharmacist or care team if this medication contains alcohol. Be sure to tell all care teams you are taking this medication. Certain medications, such as metronidazole and disulfiram, can cause an unpleasant reaction when taken with alcohol. The reaction includes flushing, headache, nausea, vomiting, sweating, and increased thirst. The reaction can last from 30 minutes to several hours.

What are the most serious risks of this medication?

If you get this medicine for an organ transplant, it should be started in the hospital, a clinic, or in a healthcare treatment setting.

This medicine should only be given by a healthcare provider who is trained to treat your illness. You will get tests to make sure the right amount of medicine is in your blood. Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely to make sure this medicine is working right.

This medicine will make your immune system weak. A weak immune system puts you at risk of serious infections and of cancer. Your healthcare provider will monitor you closely.

Source: This information is sourced from Elsevier Inc.

Disclaimer

The reviews, ratings, comments, and opinions expressed on this platform are solely those of the individual medical professionals who posted them and do not reflect the views or positions of Sermo, Inc. Sermo does not endorse, verify, or validate the content of individual reviews. The information provided is user-generated and reflects personal clinical experiences, which may not be complete, accurate, or applicable to your specific health needs. It is not intended as medical advice.

Prescription medications affect individuals differently, and what works for one person may not work for another. Always consult your doctor, pharmacist, or other qualified healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed applies to your personal circumstances. Only a licensed healthcare provider can advise you on what is safe and effective for you.

Keep all medications out of the reach of children, never share your medicine with others, and use each medication only as prescribed. Your reliance on any information provided on this platform is at your own risk.

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