Cyclosporin

Question 1

What is cyclosporin?

Answer 1

immunosuppressant which decreases clonal proliferation of T cells by reducing IL-2 release

binding to cyclophilin forming a complex which inhibits calcineurin, a phosphatase that activates various transcription factors in T cells

Question 2

Adverse effects of cyclosporin ?

Answer 2

nephrotoxicity

hepatotoxicity

fluid retention

hypertension

hyperkalaemia

hypertrichosis

gingival hyperplasia

tremor

impaired glucose tolerance

hyperlipidaemia

increased susceptibility to severe infection

Question 3

Interestingly for an immunosuppressant, ciclosporin is noted by the BNF to be

Answer 3

virtually non-myelotoxic’.

Question 4

What May increase the concentration of cyclosporin

Answer 4

cannabidiol

Question 5

When is cyclosporin prescribed

Answer 5

organ transplantation
rheumatoid arthritis
psoriasis (has a direct effect on keratinocytes as well as modulating T cell function)
ulcerative colitis
pure red cell aplasia