Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more or less of it and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. Using too much will increase the chance for side effects, while using too little may cause you to reject your transplanted organ.

This medicine is always used together with other medicines. Make sure you understand when to take all of your medicines. Your doctor will give you a daily plan for taking your medicines.

Use only the brand of this medicine that your doctor prescribed. Different brands may not work the same way.

Take this medicine the same way every day. Take it at the same time and take it consistently, either with or without food.

Measure the oral liquid only with the dosing syringe that comes with the package. The dosing syringe should be wiped with a clean towel after it is used and stored in its container. Do not rinse the dosing syringe with water or other cleaning agents before or after use.

To make Neoral® oral liquid taste better, mix it in a glass container with apple juice or orange juice (preferably at room temperature). Use a glass container, not plastic. Stir it well and drink it immediately. After drinking all the liquid containing the medicine, rinse the glass with a little more liquid and drink that also, to make sure you get all the medicine.

To make Sandimmune® oral liquid taste better, mix it in a glass container with milk, chocolate milk, or orange juice (preferably at room temperature).

You should not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you are using this medicine. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice will increase the amount of medicine in the body.

Do not stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. You might have to take medicine for the rest of your life to prevent your body from rejecting the transplant.

If you are using sirolimus, take it 4 hours after you use cyclosporine.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For oral dosage forms (capsules or oral solution):
    • For prevention of transplant rejection:
      • Adults and children—
        • Neoral®: Your dose will be determined by your doctor (depends on the transplanted organ). This is taken 4 to 12 hours before organ transplantation or after transplantation. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
        • Sandimmune®: Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 15 mg per kg of body weight. This is taken as a single dose 4 to 12 hours before organ transplantation and continued after transplantation as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
    • For treatment of psoriasis:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 2.5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into two doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis:
      • Adults—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The starting dose is usually 2.5 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight per day, divided into two doses. Your doctor may adjust your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Do not keep the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Throw away any unused medicine 60 days after the bottle is opened for the first time.

Portions of this document last updated: May 01, 2024

Copyright: © Merative US L.P. 1973, 2024. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.