Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Epoetin alfa
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin and Epoetin alfa: 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
Both agents can raise blood pressure, so combined use may worsen hypertension, particularly in transplant and renal patients. Changes in red cell mass from epoetin may also alter whole-blood cyclosporine concentrations, since cyclosporine partitions into erythrocytes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Epoetin alfa 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.
Cyclosporin belongs to Miscellaneous; Epoetin alfa belongs to Miscellaneous.
Why it happens
Additive pressor effects, plus altered erythrocyte binding and distribution of cyclosporine as hematocrit changes.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and hemoglobin regularly, and check cyclosporine trough levels when the hematocrit changes substantially. Adjust antihypertensives and cyclosporine dose as needed.
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 Epoetin alfa
- Epoetin alfa + Testosterone Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Epoetin alfa?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin and Epoetin alfa 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. Both agents can raise blood pressure, so combined use may worsen hypertension, particularly in transplant and renal patients. Changes in red cell mass from epoetin may also alter whole-blood cyclosporine concentrations, since cyclosporine partitions into erythrocytes.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Epoetin alfa?
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 blood pressure and hemoglobin regularly, and check cyclosporine trough levels when the hematocrit changes substantially. Adjust antihypertensives and cyclosporine dose as needed.
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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