Cyclosporine 50 mg Capsule, Liquid Filled
🆔 Identity & classification
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🏷️ RxNorm drug class
This medicine belongs to the Calcineurin Inhibitor Immunosuppressant class.
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🏭 Manufacturer & labeler
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🩺 Clinical
- Cyclosporine levels in your blood can vary quite a bit, and both too much and too little can cause real problems — too high raises the risk of kidney damage, and too low means the...
- Why do I need blood tests so often while taking cyclosporine?
- No — grapefruit and grapefruit juice are a hard no with cyclosporine. They block a key enzyme in your body that normally clears cyclosporine, which can cause your blood levels to c...
- Can I eat grapefruit while taking cyclosporine?
Patient education
Supplement & herbal interactions
Some supplements/herbs that may interact with Cyclosporine — tap one for details:
Cyclosporine may be associated with lower levels of 1 nutrient — worth a chat with your pharmacist, not a cause for alarm.
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Ask a licensed pharmacist directly — free, answered by our team.
💊 What it looks like
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🧪 Inactive Ingredients / Excipients
Inactive ingredients, also called excipients, are components of the drug product other than the active ingredient. They may include fillers, dyes, coatings, preservatives, flavors, or other formulation ingredients.
💡 Tap an ingredient (hover on desktop) to see what it is and why it’s used.
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UNII H4N855PNZ1
Alpha-tocopherol is a form of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant derived from natural or synthetic sources. In medicines, it prevents oils and fats from breaking down and becoming rancid, protecting the product's stability and shelf life.
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UNII 3K9958V90M
A liquid solvent derived from fermentation or chemical synthesis. In medicines, alcohol dissolves active ingredients, helps preserve the product, and improves how the body absorbs certain drugs.
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UNII 5138Q19F1X
Ammonia is a colorless gas made from nitrogen and hydrogen. It's used in medicines as a pH buffer to maintain the correct acidity level and help keep the product stable.
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UNII 1DAF35W3S2
A mixture of fats derived from corn oil, used in medicines as an emulsifier to help blend oily and watery ingredients together, and as a lubricant to improve how the medicine flows during manufacturing.
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UNII 1K09F3G675
Ferric oxide red is an inorganic iron compound used as a colorant in medicines. It gives tablets, capsules, or other dosage forms a red or reddish tint for identification and appearance.
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UNII 2G86QN327L
Gelatin is a protein derived from animal collagen, commonly used in medicines as a gelling agent and capsule material. It helps create soft or hard capsule shells that hold and release medication, and can also thicken liquid formulations.
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UNII PDC6A3C0OX
Glycerin is a clear, thick liquid derived from plant oils or fats. It acts as a humectant to retain moisture, a sweetener, and a solvent in medications.
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UNII B697894SGQ
Polyethylene glycol 400 is a clear, thick liquid made from petroleum-derived polymers. It acts as a solvent and humectant in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and retain moisture in the formulation.
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UNII 7YC686GQ8F
A synthetic oily substance made from castor oil. It works as a solubilizer and emulsifier to help mix oily and water-based ingredients together in the medicine.
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UNII 58QVG85GW3
A synthetic polymer made from vinyl acetate and phthalic acid. It coats tablets and capsules to control when and where the medicine dissolves in the digestive system, protecting the contents from stomach acid.
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UNII 6DC9Q167V3
Propylene glycol is a clear liquid derived from petroleum or vegetable sources. It acts as a solvent, humectant, and preservative in medicines, helping dissolve active ingredients and maintain product stability.
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UNII 15FIX9V2JP
Titanium dioxide is a bright white mineral powder commonly used as a colorant and opacifying agent. It makes pills and tablets white or lighter in color and helps make coatings non-transparent.
12 inactive ingredients listed in the exact product block matched to this NDC.
Where does this data come from?
ingredient classCode="IACT" elements from the exact product block matched by this NDC. Label-section narrative from DailyMed / the openFDA label index is shown separately when available.Inactive ingredient FAQ
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💲 Pricing
A drug doesn't have one price. Each row is a different public payment system, and none is what you'd pay at the counter — that depends on your insurance. The ⓘ on each row explains what it measures.
| Price system | Per mL | Per package |
|---|---|---|
| Retail pharmacies payNADAC · weekly | Not in the retail survey — common for institutional, discontinued, or low-volume packs. | |
| Medicaid paysCMS SDUD · 12 mo | No recent Medicaid claims on file for this NDC — rare and low-volume NDCs are suppressed in the public data. | |
| Medicare drug plans payPart D · quarterly | No Part D plan price is available for this NDC in our data. | |
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🔁 Therapeutic equivalents
| Product | Labeler | Pack | NADAC/unit | TE | Status | Price vs. this |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclosporine 50 mg 23155-0838-30 | Heritage | 5 capsules | $0.779 | AB1 | Availability likely | — |
| CycloSPORINE, Modfied 50 mg 60505-4631-03 | Apotex | 5 capsules | $0.779 | AB1 | Availability likely | — |
| Cyclosporine Modified 50 mg 00093-9019-65 | Teva | 1 capsule | $0.779 | AB1 | Availability likely | — |
| Cyclosporine 50 mgthis 64380-0128-02 | Strides | 5 capsules | — | AB1 | FDA listed | — |
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⏳ Availability & generic status
This product is an FDA-approved generic. Other versions of the same drug are listed under Therapeutic equivalents, least expensive first.
Where does this data come from?
📊 Medicare Part D spend CMS · PART D · 2026 (Q1)
🔬 Reported adverse events (FAERS)
Top reported reactions
Reporter sex
Serious outcomes
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📦 Packaging — all sizes for this product
| Package NDC | Description | Marketing start | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 64380-0128-02 You're viewing this | 6 BLISTER PACK in 1 CARTON (64380-128-02) / 5 CAPSULE, LIQUID FILLED in 1 BLISTER PACK (64380-128-01) | 2022-08-16 | Active |
🧭 About this NDC listing & data coverage
What data is (and isn’t) available for this NDC — tap to expand
| NDC identity (package / product / labeler codes) | ✓ Available |
| Labeler | ✓ Available |
| Product & package description | ✓ Available |
| Marketing category & status | ✓ Available |
| Active ingredient / dosage form / route | ✓ Available |
| FDA label (SPL via DailyMed) | ✓ Available |
| Package photos | ✓ Available |
| Inactive ingredients (structured) | ✓ Available |
| NADAC pharmacy acquisition price (CMS) | — Not published for this NDC CMS publishes NADAC only for NDCs reported in its retail-pharmacy survey. |
| Orange Book / therapeutic-equivalence data | ✓ Available |
| HCPCS J-code billing crosswalk | — Not published for this NDC Most self-administered / retail products have no J-code — that is normal. |
| Medicaid utilization (CMS SDUD) | — Not published for this NDC CMS reports utilization only for NDCs with Medicaid claims above its privacy threshold. |
Questions about this listing
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📄 Full prescribing information FDA SPL
🚨 Boxed Warning ▾
WARNING Only physicians experienced in management of systemic immunosuppressive therapy for the indicated disease should prescribe cyclosporine capsules, (modified). At doses used in solid organ transplantation, only physicians experienced in immunosuppressive therapy and management of organ transplant recipients should prescribe cyclosporine capsules, (modified). Patients receiving the drug should be managed in facilities equipped and staffed with adequate laboratory and supportive medical resources.
The physician responsible for maintenance therapy should have complete information requisite for the follow-up of the patient. Cyclosporine capsules, (modified), a systemic immunosuppressant, may increase the susceptibility to infection and the development of neoplasia. In kidney, liver, and heart transplant patients cyclosporine capsules, (modified) may be administered with other immunosuppressive agents.
Increased susceptibility to infection and the possible development of lymphoma and other neoplasms may result from the increase in the degree of immunosuppression in transplant patients. Cyclosporine capsules, (modified) have increased bioavailability in comparison to Sandimmune Soft Gelatin Capsules (cyclosporine capsules, USP) [NON-MODIFIED]. Cyclosporine capsules, (modified) and Sandimmune are not bioequivalent and cannot be used interchangeably without physician supervision.
For a given trough concentration, cyclosporine exposure will be greater with cyclosporine capsules, (modified) than with Sandimmune. If a patient who is receiving exceptionally high doses of Sandimmune is converted to cyclosporine capsules, (modified), particular caution should be exercised. Cyclosporine blood concentrations should be monitored in transplant and rheumatoid arthritis patients taking cyclosporine capsules, (modified) to avoid toxicity due to high concentrations.
Dose adjustments should be made in transplant patients to minimize possible organ rejection due to low concentrations. Comparison of blood concentrations in the published literature with blood concentrations obtained using current assays must be done with detailed knowledge of the assay methods employed (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
For Psoriasis Patients (see also BOXED WARNING above) Psoriasis patients previously treated with PUVA and to a lesser extent, methotrexate or other immunosuppressive agents, UVB, coal tar, or radiation therapy, are at an increased risk of developing skin malignancies when taking cyclosporine capsules, (modified). Cyclosporine, the active ingredient in cyclosporine capsules, (modified), in recommended dosages, can cause systemic hypertension and nephrotoxicity. The risk increases with increasing dose and duration of cyclosporine therapy.
Renal dysfunction, including structural kidney damage, is a potential consequence of cyclosporine, and therefore, renal function must be monitored during therapy.
🎯 Indications and Usage ▾
INDICATIONS AND USAGE Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplantation Cyclosporine capsules (modified) is indicated for the prophylaxis of organ rejection in kidney, liver, and heart allogeneic transplants. Cyclosporine capsules (modified) has been used in combination with azathioprine and corticosteroids. Rheumatoid Arthritis Cyclosporine capsules (modified) is indicated for the treatment of patients with severe active, rheumatoid arthritis where the disease has not adequately responded to methotrexate.
Cyclosporine capsules (modified) can be used in combination with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis patients who do not respond adequately to methotrexate alone. Psoriasis Cyclosporine capsules (modified) is indicated for the treatment of adult, nonimmunocompromised patients with severe (i.e., extensive and/or disabling), recalcitrant, plaque psoriasis who have failed to respond to at least one systemic therapy (e.g., PUVA, retinoids, or methotrexate) or in patients for whom other systemic therapies are contraindicated, or cannot be tolerated.
While rebound rarely occurs, most patients will experience relapse with cyclosporine capsules (modified) as with other therapies upon cessation of treatment.
⏱️ Dosage and Administration ▾
DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION Cyclosporine capsules (modified) has increased bioavailability in comparison to Sandimmune. Cyclosporine capsules (modified) and Sandimmune are not bioequivalent and cannot be used interchangeably without physician supervision. The daily dose of cyclosporine capsules (modified) should always be given in two divided doses (BID).
It is recommended that cyclosporine capsules (modified) be administered on a consistent schedule with regard to time of day and relation to meals. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice affect metabolism, increasing blood concentration of cyclosporine, thus should be avoided. Specific Populations Renal Impairment in Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplantation Cyclosporine undergoes minimal renal elimination and its pharmacokinetics do not appear to be significantly altered in patients with end-stage renal disease who receive routine hemodialysis treatments (s ee CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).
However, due to its nephrotoxic potential (see WARNINGS ), careful monitoring of renal function is recommended; cyclosporine dosage should be reduced if indicated (s ee WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). Renal Impairment in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Psoriasis Patients with impaired renal function should not receive cyclosporine (s ee CONTRAINDICATIONS, WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). Hepatic Impairment The clearance of cyclosporine may be significantly reduced in severe liver disease patients ( s ee CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY ).
Dose reduction may be necessary in patients with severe liver impairment to maintain blood concentrations within the recommended target range (s ee WARNINGS and PRECAUTIONS ). Newly Transplanted Patients The initial oral dose of cyclosporine capsules (modified) can be given 4 to 12 hours prior to transplantation or be given postoperatively. The initial dose of cyclosporine capsules (modified) varies depending on the transplanted organ and the other immunosuppressive agents included in the immunosuppressive protocol.
In newly transplanted patients, the initial oral dose of cyclosporine capsules (modified) is the same as the initial oral dose of Sandimmune. Suggested initial doses are available from the results of a 1994 survey of the use of Sandimmune in US transplant centers. The mean ± SD initial doses were 9 ± 3 mg/kg/day for renal transplant patients (75 centers), 8 ± 4 mg/kg/day for liver transplant patients (30 centers), and 7 ± 3 mg/kg/day for heart transplant patients (24 centers).
Total daily doses were divided into two equal daily doses. The cyclosporine capsules (modified) dose is subsequently adjusted to achieve a pre-defined cyclosporine blood concentration (see Blood Concentration Monitoring in Transplant Patients, below) If cyclosporine trough blood concentrations are used, the target range is the same for cyclosporine capsules (modified) as for Sandimmune. Using the same trough concentration target range for cyclosporine capsules (modified) as for Sandimmune results in greater cyclosporine exposure when cyclosporine capsules (modified) is administered (see Pharmacokinetics, Absorption).
Dosing should be titrated based on clinical assessments of rejection and tolerability. Lower cyclosporine capsules (modified) doses may be sufficient as maintenance therapy. Adjunct therapy with adrenal corticosteroids is recommended initially.
Different tapering dosage schedules of prednisone appear to achieve similar results. A representative dosage schedule based on the patient's weight started with 2.0 mg/kg/day for the first 4 days tapered to 1.0 mg/kg/day by 1 week, 0.6 mg/kg/day by 2 weeks, 0.3 mg/kg/day by 1 month, and 0.15 mg/kg/day by 2 months and thereafter as a maintenance dose. Steroid doses may be further tapered on an individualized basis depending on status of patient and function of graft.
Adjustments in dosage of prednisone must be made according to the clinical situation. Conversion from Sandimmune to cyclosporine capsules (modified) in Transplant Patients In transplanted patients…
⛔ Contraindications ▾
CONTRAINDICATIONS General Cyclosporine capsules (modified) is contraindicated in patients with a hypersensitivity to cyclosporine or to any of the ingredients of the formulation. Rheumatoid Arthritis Rheumatoid arthritis patients with abnormal renal function, uncontrolled hypertension, or malignancies should not receive cyclosporine capsules, (modified). Psoriasis Psoriasis patients who are treated with cyclosporine capsules (modified) should not receive concomitant PUVA or UVB therapy, methotrexate or other immunosuppressive agents, coal tar or radiation therapy.
Psoriasis patients with abnormal renal function, uncontrolled hypertension, or malignancies should not receive cyclosporine capsules, (modified).
⚠️ Warnings ▾
WARNINGS (See also BOXED WARNING) All Patients Cyclosporine, the active ingredient of cyclosporine capsules, (modified), can cause nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity. The risk increases with increasing doses of cyclosporine. Renal dysfunction including structural kidney damage is a potential consequence of cyclosporine capsules (modified) and therefore renal function must be monitored during therapy.
Care should be taken in using cyclosporine with nephrotoxic drugs (see PRECAUTIONS) . Patients receiving cyclosporine capsules (modified) require frequent monitoring of serum creatinine (see Special Monitoring under DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION). Elderly patients should be monitored with particular care, since decreases in renal function also occur with age.
If patients are not properly monitored and doses are not properly adjusted, cyclosporine therapy can be associated with the occurrence of structural kidney damage and persistent renal dysfunction. An increase in serum creatinine and BUN may occur during cyclosporine capsules (modified) therapy and reflect a reduction in the glomerular filtration rate. Impaired renal function at any time requires close monitoring, and frequent dosage adjustment may be indicated.
The frequency and severity of serum creatinine elevations increase with dose and duration of cyclosporine therapy. These elevations are likely to become more pronounced without dose reduction or discontinuation. Because cyclosporine capsules (modified) is not bioequivalent to Sandimmune, conversion from cyclosporine capsules (modified) to Sandimmune using a 1:1 ratio (mg/kg/day) may result in lower cyclosporine blood concentrations.
Conversion from cyclosporine capsules (modified) to Sandimmune should be made with increased monitoring to avoid the potential of underdosing. Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplant Nephrotoxicity Cyclosporine, the active ingredient of cyclosporine capsules, (modified), can cause nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity when used in high doses. It is not unusual for serum creatinine and BUN levels to be elevated during cyclosporine therapy.
These elevations in renal transplant patients do not necessarily indicate rejection, and each patient must be fully evaluated before dosage adjustment is initiated. Based on the historical Sandimmune experience with oral solution, nephrotoxicity associated with cyclosporine had been noted in 25% of cases of renal transplantation, 38% of cases of cardiac transplantation, and 37% of cases of liver transplantation. Mild nephrotoxicity was generally noted 2 to 3 months after renal transplant and consisted of an arrest in the fall of the pre-operative elevations of BUN and creatinine at a range of 35 to 45 mg/dL and 2.0 to 2.5 mg/dL, respectively.
These elevations were often responsive to cyclosporine dosage reduction. More overt nephrotoxicity was seen early after transplantation and was characterized by a rapidly rising BUN and creatinine. Since these events are similar to renal rejection episodes, care must be taken to differentiate between them.
This form of nephrotoxicity is usually responsive to cyclosporine dosage reduction. Although specific diagnostic criteria which reliably differentiate renal graft rejection from drug toxicity have not been found, a number of parameters have been significantly associated with one or the other. It should be noted however, that up to 20% of patients may have simultaneous nephrotoxicity and rejection.
Nephrotoxicity vs. Rejection Parameter Nephrotoxicity Rejection History Donor >50 years old or hypotensive Prolonged kidney preservation Prolonged anastomosis time Concomitant nephrotoxic drugs Anti-donor immune response Retransplant patient Clinical Often >6 weeks postop b Prolonged initial nonfunction (acute tubular necrosis) Often < 4 weeks postop b Fever > 37.5°C Weight gain > 0.5 kg Graft swelling and tenderness Decrease in daily urine volume > 500 mL (or 50%) Laboratory CyA serum trough level > 200 ng/mL Gradual rise in Cr (<0.15…
🤒 Adverse Reactions ▾
ADVERSE REACTIONS Kidney, Liver, and Heart Transplantation The principal adverse reactions of cyclosporine therapy are renal dysfunction, tremor, hirsutism, hypertension, and gum hyperplasia. Hypertension Hypertension, which is usually mild to moderate, may occur in approximately 50% of patients following renal transplantation and in most cardiac transplant patients. Glomerular Capillary Thrombosis Glomerular capillary thrombosis has been found in patients treated with cyclosporine and may progress to graft failure.
The pathologic changes resembled those seen in the hemolytic-uremic syndrome and included thrombosis of the renal microvasculature, with platelet-fibrin thrombi occluding glomerular capillaries and afferent arterioles, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and decreased renal function. Similar findings have been observed when other immunosuppressives have been employed post-transplantation. Hypomagnesemia Hypomagnesemia has been reported in some, but not all, patients exhibiting convulsions while on cyclosporine therapy.
Although magnesium-depletion studies in normal subjects suggest that hypomagnesemia is associated with neurologic disorders, multiple factors, including hypertension, high dose methylprednisolone, hypocholesterolemia, and nephrotoxicity associated with high plasma concentrations of cyclosporine appear to be related to the neurological manifestations of cyclosporine toxicity. Clinical Studies In controlled studies, the nature, severity, and incidence of the adverse events that were observed in 493 transplanted patients treated with cyclosporine capsules (modified) were comparable with those observed in 208 transplanted patients who received Sandimmune in these same studies when the dosage of the two drugs was adjusted to achieve the same cyclosporine blood trough concentrations.
Based on the historical experience with Sandimmune, the following reactions occurred in 3% or greater of 892 patients involved in clinical trials of kidney, heart, and liver transplants. Randomized Kidney Patients Cyclosporine Patients (Sandimmune) Sandimmune Azathioprine Kidney Heart Liver Body System Adverse Reactions (N = 227)% (N = 228)% (N = 705)% (N = 112)% (N = 75)% Genitourinary Renal Dysfunction 32 6 25 38 37 Cardiovascular Hypertension 26 18 13 53 27 Cramps 4 <1 2 <1 0 Skin Hirsutism 21 <1 21 28 45 Acne 6 8 2 2 1 Central Nervous System Tremor 12 0 21 31 55 Convulsions 3 1 1 4 5 Headache 2 <1 2 15 4 Gastrointestinal Gum Hyperplasia 4 0 9 5 16 Diarrhea 3 <1 3 4 8 Nausea/Vomiting 2 <1 4 10 4 Hepatotoxicity <1 <1 4 7 4 Abdominal Discomfort <1 0 <1 7 0 Autonomic Nervous System Paresthesia 3 0 1 2 1 Flushing <1 0 4 0 4 Hematopoietic Leukopenia 2 19 <1 6 0 Lymphoma <1 0 1 6 1 Respiratory Sinusitis <1 0 4 3 7 Miscellaneous Gynecomastia <1 0 <1 4 3 Among 705 kidney transplant patients treated with cyclosporine oral solution (Sandimmune) in clinical trials, the reason for treatment discontinuation was renal toxicity in 5.4%, infection in 0.9%, lack of efficacy in 1.4%, acute tubular necrosis in 1.0%, lymphoproliferative disorders in 0.3%, hypertension in 0.3%, and other reasons in 0.7% of the patients.
The following reactions occurred in 2% or less of cyclosporine-treated patients: allergic reactions, anemia, anorexia, confusion, conjunctivitis, edema, fever, brittle fingernails, gastritis, hearing loss, hiccups, hyperglycemia, migraine (cyclosporine capsules, (modified)), muscle pain, peptic ulcer, thrombocytopenia, tinnitus. The following reactions occurred rarely: anxiety, chest pain, constipation, depression, hair breaking, hematuria, joint pain, lethargy, mouth sores, myocardial infarction, night sweats, pancreatitis, pruritus, swallowing difficulty, tingling, upper GI bleeding, visual disturbance, weakness, weight loss.
Patients receiving immunosuppressive therapies, including cyclosporine and cyclosporine -containing regimens, are at increased risk of infections (viral, bacterial, fungal, parasitic). Bo…
🔄 Drug Interactions ▾
Drug Interactions (See PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions) When diclofenac or methotrexate was coadministered with cyclosporine in rheumatoid arthritis patients, the AUC of diclofenac and methotrexate, each was significantly increased (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions) . No clinically significant pharmacokinetic interactions occurred between cyclosporine and aspirin, ketoprofen, piroxicam, or indomethacin. Specific Populations Renal Impairment In a study performed in 4 subjects with end-stage renal disease (creatinine clearance < 5 mL/min), an intravenous infusion of 3.5 mg/kg of cyclosporine over 4 hours administered at the end of a hemodialysis session resulted in a mean volume of distribution (Vdss) of
3.49L/kg and systemic clearance (CL) of 0.369 L/hr/kg. This systemic CL (0.369 L/hr/kg) was approximately two thirds of the mean systemic CL (0.56 L/hr/kg) of cyclosporine in historical control subjects with normal renal function. In 5 liver transplant patients, the mean clearance of cyclosporine on and off hemodialysis was 463 mL/min and 398 mL/min, respectively.
Less than 1% of the dose of cyclosporine was recovered in the dialysate. Hepatic Impairment Cyclosporine is extensively metabolized by the liver. Since severe hepatic impairment may result in significantly increased cyclosporine exposures, the dosage of cyclosporine may need to be reduced in these patients.
🆘 Overdosage ▾
OVERDOSAGE There is a minimal experience with cyclosporine overdosage. Forced emesis and gastric lavage can be of value up to 2 hours after administration of cyclosporine capsules, (modified). Transient hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity may occur which should resolve following drug withdrawal.
Oral doses of cyclosporine up to 10 g (about 150 mg/kg) have been tolerated with relatively minor clinical consequences, such as vomiting, drowsiness, headache, tachycardia and, in a few patients, moderately severe, reversible impairment of renal function. However, serious symptoms of intoxication have been reported following accidental parenteral overdosage with cyclosporine in premature neonates. General supportive measures and symptomatic treatment should be followed in all cases of overdosage.
Cyclosporine is not dialyzable to any great extent, nor is it cleared well by charcoal hemoperfusion. The oral dosage at which half of experimental animals are estimated to die is 31 times, 39 times, and > 54 times the human maintenance dose for transplant patients (6mg/kg; corrections based on body surface area) in mice, rats, and rabbits.
🧬 Clinical Pharmacology ▾
CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY Cyclosporine is a potent immunosuppressive agent that in animals prolongs survival of allogeneic transplants involving skin, kidney, liver, heart, pancreas, bone marrow, small intestine, and lung. Cyclosporine has been demonstrated to suppress some humoral immunity and to a greater extent, cell-mediated immune reactions such as allograft rejection, delayed hypersensitivity, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis, Freund's adjuvant arthritis, and graft versus host disease in many animal species for a variety of organs.
The effectiveness of cyclosporine results from specific and reversible inhibition of immunocompetent lymphocytes in the G 0 - and G 1 -phase of the cell cycle. T-lymphocytes are preferentially inhibited. The T-helper cell is the main target, although the T-suppressor cell may also be suppressed.
Cyclosporine also inhibits lymphokine production and release including interleukin-2. No effects on phagocytic function (changes in enzyme secretions, chemotactic migration of granulocytes, macrophage migration, carbon clearance in vivo ) have been detected in animals. Cyclosporine does not cause bone marrow suppression in animal models or man.
Pharmacokinetics The immunosuppressive activity of cyclosporine is primarily due to parent drug. Following oral administration, absorption of cyclosporine is incomplete. The extent of absorption of cyclosporine is dependent on the individual patient, the patient population, and the formulation.
Elimination of cyclosporine is primarily biliary with only 6% of the dose (parent drug and metabolites) excreted in urine. The disposition of cyclosporine from blood is generally biphasic, with a terminal half-life of approximately 8.4 hours (range 5 to 18 hours). Following intravenous administration, the blood clearance of cyclosporine (assay: HPLC) is approximately 5 to 7 mL/min/kg in adult recipients of renal or liver allografts.
Blood cyclosporine clearance appears to be slightly slower in cardiac transplant patients. Cyclosporine capsules (MODIFIED) and cyclosporine oral solution (MODIFIED) are bioequivalent. The relationship between administered dose and exposure (area under the concentration versus time curve, AUC) is linear within the therapeutic dose range.
The intersubject variability (total, %CV) of cyclosporine exposure (AUC) when cyclosporine capsules, (modified) or Sandimmune is administered ranges from approximately 20% to 50% in renal transplant patients. This intersubject variability contributes to the need for individualization of the dosing regimen for optimal therapy (see DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION) . Intrasubject variability of AUC in renal transplant recipients (%CV) was 9% to 21% for cyclosporine capsules, (modified) and 19% to 26% for Sandimmune.
In the same studies, intrasubject variability of trough concentrations (%CV) was 17% to 30% for cyclosporine capsules, (modified) and 16% to 38% for Sandimmune. Absorption Cyclosporine capsules (modified) has increased bioavailability compared to Sandimmune. The absolute bioavailability of cyclosporine administered as Sandimmune is dependent on the patient population, estimated to be less than 10% in liver transplant patients and as great as 89% in some renal transplant patients.
The absolute bioavailability of cyclosporine administered as cyclosporine capsules (modified) has not been determined in adults. In studies of renal transplant, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis patients, the mean cyclosporine AUC was approximately 20% to 50% greater and the peak blood cyclosporine concentration (C max ) was approximately 40% to 106% greater following administration of cyclosporine capsules (modified) compared to following administration of Sandimmune. The dose normalized AUC in de novo liver transplant patients administered cyclosporine capsules (modified) 28 days after transplantation was 50% greater and C max was 90% greater than in those patients administered Sandimmune.
AUC and C max are also increased (cy…
📦 How Supplied / Storage and Handling ▾
HOW SUPPLIED Cyclosporine capsules, USP (modified) (Soft Gelatin Capsules) 25 mg Blue gray colored opaque oval shaped soft gelatin capsule imprinted as 'S 25' in red color ink, containing clear to cloudy pale yellow colored oily liquid. Packages of 30 unit-dose blisters (NDC 64380-127-02). 50 mg White colored opaque oblong shaped soft gelatin capsule imprinted as 'S 50' in red color ink, containing clear to cloudy pale yellow colored oily liquid Packages of 30 unit-dose blisters (NDC 64380-128-02).
100 mg Blue gray colored opaque oblong shaped soft gelatin capsule imprinted as 'S 100' in red color ink, containing clear to cloudy pale yellow colored oily liquid. Packages of 30 unit-dose blisters (NDC 64380-129-02). Store and Dispense In the original unit-dose container at controlled room temperature 68°F to 77°F (20°C to 25°C).
Cyclosporine Capsules, USP (MODIFIED) (Soft Gelatin Capsules) All registered trademarks in this document are the property of their respective owners. Distributed by: Strides Pharma, Inc. Bridgewater, NJ 08807 Revised: 08/2026
📋 Description ▾
DESCRIPTION Cyclosporine capsules, USP (modified) is an oral formulation of cyclosporine that immediately forms a microemulsion in an aqueous environment. Cyclosporine, USP the active principle in cyclosporine capsules, USP (modified), is a cyclic polypeptide immunosuppressant agent consisting of 11 amino acids. It is produced as a metabolite by the fungus species Beauveria nivea.
Chemically, cyclosporine, USP is designated as [ R -[ R* , R* -( E )]]-cyclic-(L-alanyl-D-alanyl- N -methyl-L-leucyl- N -methyl-L-leucyl- N -methyl-L-valyl-3-hydroxy- N ,4-dimethyl-L-2-amino-6-octenoyl-L-α -amino-butyryl- N -methylglycyl- N -methyl-L-leucyl-L-valyl- N -methyl-L-leucyl). Cyclosporine capsules, USP (modified) (Soft Gelatin Capsules) are available in 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg strengths. Each 25 mg capsule contains: Cyclosporine, USP………………………………………………………………………………25 mg Dehydrated alcohol................
(9.5% w/v or 12.0% v/v) Each 50 mg capsule contains: Cyclosporine, USP…………………………………………………………………...50 mg Dehydrated alcohol................ (9.5% w/v or 12.0% v/v) Each 100 mg capsule contains: Cyclosporine, USP……………………………………………………………………………...100 mg Dehydrated alcohol................ (9.5% w/v or 12.0% v/v) Inactive Ingredients: gelatin, glycerin, propylene glycol, titanium dioxide, ferric oxide black [25 mg and 100 mg], glyceryl monolinoleate, polyoxyl 40 hydrogenated castor oil, all-rac-alpha tocopherol [vitamin E synthetic], Ink contains- ammonium hydroxide 28%, iron oxide red, polyethylene glycol, polyvinyl acetate phthalate, propylene glycol.
The chemical structure of cyclosporine (also known as cyclosporin A) is: Image