Drug interactions
Cimetidine + Cyclosporin
Severity: Moderate
Cimetidine and Cyclosporin: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Cimetidine may modestly increase cyclosporine concentrations, with the effect variable between patients. It may also slightly raise serum creatinine independent of true renal injury.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cimetidine and Cyclosporin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Weak inhibition of CYP3A4 metabolism of cyclosporine by cimetidine.
What to do
Monitor cyclosporine trough levels and renal function, or switch to an H2 blocker such as famotidine.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Cyclosporin
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Aliskiren + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Bosentan + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cidofovir + Cyclosporin Contraindicated
- Cyclosporin + Dengue vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cimetidine with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cimetidine and Cyclosporin can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Cimetidine may modestly increase cyclosporine concentrations, with the effect variable between patients. It may also slightly raise serum creatinine independent of true renal injury.
How serious is the interaction between Cimetidine and Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor cyclosporine trough levels and renal function, or switch to an H2 blocker such as famotidine.
What other medicines interact with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cyclosporin with, for example, Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live, Aliskiren, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Cyclosporin page.
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