Taking Ciclosporin Tablets
What is Ciclosporin?
Ciclosporin is a drug which can be used as a treatment for ulcerative proctitis or colitis (UC) that has proved to be resistant to, or needed multiple courses of, steroid therapy or in patients intolerant to mercaptopurine. It controls the body's inflammatory response by targeting the immune system.
How do I take it?
You should take your ciclosporin tablets twice daily, swallowed whole with a glass of water. It is advisable to take them after meals, as this helps to prevent feelings of nausea. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it is nearly time for your next dose. Do not double up on doses. It is important not to take your tablets with grapefruit juice as this can affect their efficacy.
Can I take other medicines?
Ciclosporin can be taken with other tablets, but it is important you tell me (or your GP) about any tablets that you are taking. This includes any over the counter tablets, or herbal/alternative therapies.
If you are planning to have any vaccinations, please discuss this with your GP, as some vaccines should be avoided while taking ciclosporin.
Are there any side effects?
Some patients report side effects with ciclosporin such as headaches, nausea and muscle cramps. Some people report a thickening of the gums or an increase in body hair.
If you do pick up a viral infection, such as a cough or cold, it can take longer than usual to get over it.
There are some important major side effects of ciclosporin:
It may rarely affect the bone marrow, resulting in a reduced white blood cell count (WBC). This can make you more prone to infection, so it will be necessary to monitor your WBC quite closely while you are taking ciclosporin. I recommend that you have your blood checked at least every 3 months, and more frequently when you first start the medication.
It may cause high blood pressure. It is important to have regular checks, so that any problems can be identified. If you do develop this, reducing your dose of ciclosporin is usually effective at treating this.
Kidney problems - these are usually reversible, and will be picked up quickly by the blood tests performed to monitor you. Any problems which do develop with the kidneys can be reversed by reducing or stopping the ciclosporin.
These blood tests are usually done at your GP surgery, but can be done at the Spire Hospital. By doing these regular tests, any potential problems can usually be detected and dealt with promptly.
It is essential to have these blood tests done as directed. It is unsafe to take ciclosporin without having these tests.
Please make contact with me (info@westkentgastroenterology.com 01892 740374) if you suffer from any of the following side effects while you are taking ciclosporin:
Persisting Sore throat
High temperature
Persistent burning/cramping or numbness of the legs
I can arrange for you to have an extra blood test, and advise you about any changes you may need to make to your ciclosporin dose.
As with any medication, special care needs to be taken in women of childbearing age. If you are pregnant, or are planning a pregnancy, it is very important that you inform me so that we can discuss the potential risks associated with ciclosporin.
Will it work?
There is some evidence that over half of patients with UC who failed to respond to, or where intolerant of, mercaptopurine, may respond to ciclosporin. We discussed the surgical option (colectomy and ileal pouch) before you decided to take ciclosporin.