Imatinib and Cyclosporine Injection: Interaction Details
AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature
Imatinib
Cyclosporine Injection
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
Interaction Deep Dive
Although not studied with cycloSPORINE, concomitant administration of imatinib, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, and simvastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate, resulted in 2- and 3.5-fold increases in mean Cmax and AUC values of simvastatin, respectively. A similar interaction can be expected with other CYP3A4 substrates, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic index such as cycloSPORINE3. Adjust cycloSPORINE dosage to achieve the desired cycloSPORINE concentrations when these drugs are administered concomitantly 12.
Why it happens (mechanism)
Inhibition of CYP3A4-mediated metabolism of cycloSPORINE by imatinib
Literature reports
1 report — tap to read
a) Although not studied with cycloSPORINE, concomitant administration of imatinib, a CYP3A4 inhibitor, and simvastatin, a CYP3A4 substrate, resulted in 2- and 3.5-fold increases in mean Cmax and AUC values of simvastatin, respectively. A similar interaction can be expected with other CYP3A4 substrates, particularly those with a narrow therapeutic index such as cycloSPORINE 3.
Common questions
Can I take Imatinib and Cyclosporine Injection together?
Increased cycloSPORINE exposure Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.
How serious is the Imatinib and Cyclosporine Injection 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 "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.
Questions for your pharmacist
- Does my dose of Imatinib or Cyclosporine Injection 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 (3)
- Product Information: NEORAL(R) oral soft gelatin capsules oral solution, cyclosporine modified oral soft gelatin capsules oral solution. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: SANDIMMUNE(R) oral capsules, oral solution, intravenous injection, cyclosporine oral capsules, oral solution, intravenous injection. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation (per FDA), East Hanover, NJ, 2023. DailyMed
- Product Information: GLEEVEC oral tablets, imatinib mesylate oral tablets. Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation, East Hanover, NJ, 2010. DailyMed
Keep reading about Imatinib
Keep reading about Cyclosporine Injection
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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