Drug Interaction Report

Prednisone and Cyclosporine Injection: Interaction Details

A pharmacist-reviewed analysis of the Prednisone and Cyclosporine Injection interaction: the documented clinical effects, severity rating, onset, mechanism, and management considerations, with cited references throughout.

AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · Source data updated Aug 8, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature

Prednisone

Deltasone Rayos
+

Cyclosporine Injection

Atopica Cequa Cyclavance Gengraf Modulis Neoral Optimmune Restasis
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Updated Aug 8, 2026
Editorial policy · Data sources
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Interaction severity
Moderate
Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
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.

Of 68 documented Prednisone interactions, 16 are rated moderate — including this one.
Onset
delayed
Evidence
theoretical
Severity
Moderate

What happens

An increased risk of cycloSPORINE toxicity (renal dysfunction, cholestasis, paresthesias) and symptoms of corticosteroid excess (eg, hypertension, edema, fluid/electrolyte disturbances, hyperglycemia)

Interaction Deep Dive

In a number of case reports the concomitant use of cycloSPORINE and methylPREDNISolone has resulted in increased trough cycloSPORINE concentration (200 ng/mL vs 480 ng/mL, via RIA). Symptoms of corticosteroid excess have also been observed with methylPREDNISolone and predniSONE2341.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Decreased metabolism

Literature reports

1 report — tap to read

a) In a number of case reports the concomitant use of cycloSPORINE and methylPREDNISolone has resulted in increased trough cycloSPORINE concentration (200 ng/mL vs 480 ng/mL, via RIA). Symptoms of corticosteroid excess have also been observed with methylPREDNISolone and predniSONE 2341.

Common questions

Can I take Prednisone and Cyclosporine Injection together?

An increased risk of cycloSPORINE toxicity (renal dysfunction, cholestasis, paresthesias) and symptoms of corticosteroid excess (eg, hypertension, edema, fluid/electrolyte disturbances, hyperglycemia) Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Prednisone and Cyclosporine Injection interaction?

It is rated moderate. Can be significant — usually manageable with 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.

From our Q&A

Real reader questions about these medications, each personally answered by our pharmacist:

Questions for your pharmacist

  • Does my dose of Prednisone 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 anything you'd monitor while I'm on both?

References (4)

  1. Baciewicz AM & Baciewicz FA Jr: Cyclosporine pharmacokinetic drug interactions. Am J Surg 1989; 157:264-271. PubMed
  2. Ost L: Effects of cyclosporin on prednisolone metabolism (letter). Lancet 1984; 1:451. PubMed
  3. Klintmalm G & Sawe J: High dose methylprednisolone increases plasma cyclosporin levels in renal transplant recipients (letter). Lancet 1984; 1:731. PubMed
  4. Rocci ML Jr, Tietze KJ, Danzeisen JR, et al: The effect of cyclosporine on prednisolone pharmacokinetics in renal transplant patients (abstract). Clin Pharmacol Ther 1987; 41:235.
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Prednisone

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All Prednisone interactions (68)
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Cyclosporine Injection

Keep reading about Cyclosporine Injection

All Cyclosporine Injection interactions (545) Cyclosporine Injection drug information
Also serious with: Ezetimibe Grazoprevir Sitaxsentan Simvastatin
Beyond drug–drug

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:

Prednisone + Activated Charcoal Grapefruit Lily-of-the-valley St. John's Wort Acacia Rigidula Active Hexose Correlated Compound (ahcc) Adrafinil African Wild Potato + 200 more

major · moderate · minor — check everything you take with our drug–supplement interaction checker.

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This information is for education, not a substitute for professional medical advice. Do not start, stop, or change any medication without talking to your pharmacist or prescriber.