Amlodipine and Cyclosporine: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Cyclosporine
Amlodipine
How we grade severity & evidence
Severity levels
- Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
- Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
- Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
- Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.
Evidence grades
- Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
- Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
- Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
- Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
- Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.
What happens
Increased cycloSPORINE exposure and an increased risk of cycloSPORINE toxicity (renal dysfunction, cholestasis, paresthesias)
Interaction Deep Dive
In a prospective study of 11 patients undergoing renal transplant and treated with amLODIPine and cycloSPORINE concomitantly, trough cycloSPORINE concentrations increased by an average of 40%24. Concomitant use of amLODIPine and cycloSPORINE may result in increased cycloSPORINE exposure. Monitor trough cycloSPORINE concentrations frequently after starting amLODIPine therapy and adjust the cycloSPORINE dosage if appropriate 21.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Unknown
Literature reports
2 reports — tap to read
a) A retrospective analysis involving 19 renal transplant patients showed that amLODIPine increases the cycloSPORINE concentration by approximately 25%. All patients were stabilized on cycloSPORINE, azaTHIOprine, and predniSONE prior to amLODIPine therapy. The mean 12-hour cycloSPORINE concentration prior to amLODIPine was 136 mcg/mL (113 mcmol/L), and four weeks after amLODIPine 5 mg daily was started, cycloSPORINE levels averaged 170 mcg/mL (141 mcmol/L). Four patients had their cycloSPORINE dose reduced, but no patients experienced an increase in plasma creatinine or showed evidence of cycloSPORINE toxicity. Two other studies found that amLODIPine increases the cycloSPORINE levels by 23% and 40%, while one study showed no change in cycloSPORINE pharmacokinetics during amLODIPine therapy 3.
b) In a prospective study of 11 patients undergoing renal transplant and treated with amLODIPine and cycloSPORINE concomitantly, trough cycloSPORINE concentrations increased by an average of 40% 24.
Common questions
Can I take Amlodipine and Cyclosporine together?
Increased cycloSPORINE exposure and an increased risk of cycloSPORINE toxicity (renal dysfunction, cholestasis, paresthesias) Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Amlodipine and Cyclosporine interaction?
It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How quickly could this interaction happen?
The documented onset is "delayed". Effects tend to build up gradually over days to weeks.
How strong is the evidence for this interaction?
The evidence is graded "probable". Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
From our Q&A
Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Amlodipine or Cyclosporine need adjusting while I take them together?
- What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
- Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
- Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?
References (4)
- Product Information: SDAMLO oral solution, amlodipine oral solution. Brillian Pharma Inc. (per FDA), Edison, NJ, 2025. DailyMed
- Product Information: EXFORGE oral tablets, amlodipine valsartan oral tablets. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2019. DailyMed
- McGregor DO, Bailey RR, & Robson RA: Amlodipine has a minor effect on cyclosporine metabolism (letter). Clin Nephrol 1997; 48:336.
- Product Information: CADUET(R) oral tablets, amlodipine besylate atorvastatin calcium oral tablets. Pfizer Labs (per FDA), New York, NY, 2015. DailyMed
Keep reading about Cyclosporine
Keep reading about Amlodipine
These medications also interact with supplements
Prescription drugs aren't the whole picture — herbal and dietary supplements can interact with them too. From the evidence-graded Natural Medicines database:
major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.
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