Cyclosporine
Prescription ·Exploratory record · not publication-reviewed ·Updated July 13, 2026
Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat selected autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. It has a narrow therapeutic index and major safety issues including nephrotoxicity, hypertension, serious infections, malignancy, hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, neurotoxicity, and extensive CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein interactions.
Exploratory record, not a reviewed medical publication.
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This generated database record has not completed a claim-level review by a qualified human medical reviewer. Bibliography links and evidence labels are not approval. The page remains available for reference and is excluded from search indexing.
What the research says.
A quick, data-only summary. The full evidence, dosing, and sources are below.
Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat selected autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. NutriStack rates the supporting evidence as strong. Common adult dosing is Highly individualized by indication, formulation, trough concentration, kidney function, and interacting drugs. Modified and non-modified formulations are not interchangeable and transplant dosing is titrated by therapeutic drug monitoring., though a prescriber sets the actual dose. With long-term use it can deplete magnesium. This profile indexes 3 sources.
The bottom line
Evidence rating strong. Most-documented uses: prevention of kidney, liver, and heart transplant rejection, treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis when other therapies fail, treatment of severe plaque psoriasis in selected patients. 3 sources indexed (1989–2026), with 0 interaction records on file.
How it works, mechanistically.
Core mechanism
Cyclosporine binds cyclophilin to form a complex that inhibits calcineurin phosphatase activity in T cells. This prevents dephosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NFAT, reducing interleukin-2 transcription and T-cell activation. Renal vasoconstriction, tubular effects, and CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein metabolism underlie nephrotoxicity, electrolyte changes, and many interactions.3,2
Dosing & protocol.
Take consistently with regard to meals and formulation. Avoid grapefruit products and do not switch brands or modified/non-modified formulations without prescriber supervision.
What it depletes.
Nutrients this medication can lower over time, and what to replace.
Magnesium
SignificantCalcineurin inhibitors can cause renal magnesium wasting and hypomagnesemia.
Full safety detail.
Side effects
- Nephrotoxicity
- Hypertension
- Tremor
- Headache
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypomagnesemia
- Gingival hyperplasia
- Hirsutism
- Hepatotoxicity
- Serious infections
- Lymphoma and skin cancers
- Thrombotic microangiopathy rarely
Contraindications
- Known hypersensitivity to cyclosporine or formulation components3,2
- Uncontrolled hypertension or abnormal renal function for non-transplant autoimmune indications3
- Concomitant PUVA or UVB therapy, methotrexate, coal tar, or radiation therapy in psoriasis labeling contexts
- Use only under clinicians experienced with immunosuppression and therapeutic drug monitoring2
Sources, by evidence tier.
Numbered references. Citations throughout the page link here.
Reviews & position papers
2- 1KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for the Care of Kidney Transplant RecipientsKidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes · American Journal of Transplantation · 2009
Guideline supports monitoring calcineurin inhibitor exposure, kidney function, blood pressure, and metabolic complications.
- 2Cyclosporine in clinical organ transplantationKahan BD · New England Journal of Medicine · 1989
Review describes efficacy, nephrotoxicity, and therapeutic monitoring principles.
Reference material
1- 3Cyclosporine Capsules Modified US Prescribing InformationURLU.S. National Library of Medicine · DailyMed · 2026
Labeling describes transplant and autoimmune uses, therapeutic monitoring, nephrotoxicity, hypertension, infection and malignancy warnings, and CYP3A/P-gp interactions.
Common questions.
Quick answers about Cyclosporine, drawn from the data on this page.
What is Cyclosporine?
Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent organ transplant rejection and to treat selected autoimmune or inflammatory diseases. It has a narrow therapeutic index and major safety issues including nephrotoxicity, hypertension, serious infections, malignancy, hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia, neurotoxicity, and extensive CYP3A4/P-glycoprotein interactions.
What is Cyclosporine used for?
Commonly cited benefits of Cyclosporine include: Prevention of kidney, liver, and heart transplant rejection; Treatment of severe rheumatoid arthritis when other therapies fail; Treatment of severe plaque psoriasis in selected patients; Immunosuppression in selected autoimmune conditions. NutriStack rates the overall evidence as strong.
What is a typical dose of Cyclosporine?
A typical adult dose of Cyclosporine is Highly individualized by indication, formulation, trough concentration, kidney function, and interacting drugs. Modified and non-modified formulations are not interchangeable and transplant dosing is titrated by therapeutic drug monitoring.. The commonly recommended form is Oral capsule or solution using the exact prescribed formulation; intravenous use only in supervised settings. These are general ranges, not personalized advice; confirm the right dose with a clinician.
What are the side effects of Cyclosporine?
Reported side effects include nephrotoxicity, hypertension, tremor, headache, hyperkalemia, hypomagnesemia. This is educational information; check with a healthcare professional before use.
How strong is the evidence for Cyclosporine?
NutriStack rates this as Strong, meaning multiple high-quality meta-analyses or systematic reviews converge on the same finding. Full tier criteria are at https://nutristackapp.com/methodology/evidence-tiers.
Use this with your stack
Cyclosporine in NutriStack.
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