Drug interactions
Colesevelam + Cyclosporin
Severity: Moderate
Colesevelam 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
Colesevelam can bind cyclosporine in the gut and reduce its absorption, leading to lower blood concentrations and a risk of rejection. Taking cyclosporine well before colesevelam avoids the effect.
What this interaction means in plain words
Colesevelam 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.
Colesevelam belongs to Endocrine; Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Bile acid sequestrant binds cyclosporine in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing absorption.
What to do
Give cyclosporine at least 4 hours before colesevelam and monitor cyclosporine trough levels.
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 Colesevelam
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Colesevelam Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan + Colesevelam Moderate
- Chenodiol + Colesevelam Moderate
- Cholic acid + Colesevelam Moderate
- Colesevelam + Cyclosporine Moderate
- Colesevelam + Gliclazide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Colesevelam with Cyclosporin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Colesevelam 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. Colesevelam can bind cyclosporine in the gut and reduce its absorption, leading to lower blood concentrations and a risk of rejection. Taking cyclosporine well before colesevelam avoids the effect.
How serious is the interaction between Colesevelam 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: Give cyclosporine at least 4 hours before colesevelam and monitor cyclosporine trough levels.
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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