Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Potassium citrate / citric acid
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin and Potassium citrate / citric acid: 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
Cyclosporine reduces renal potassium excretion, and potassium supplements add to the potassium load. This can cause clinically significant hyperkalemia, especially with renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Potassium citrate / citric acid 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.
Why it happens
Additive hyperkalemia from cyclosporine-induced reduced renal potassium secretion plus exogenous potassium.
What to do
Check serum potassium and renal function regularly and adjust or stop potassium supplementation if potassium rises.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Potassium citrate / citric acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin and Potassium citrate / citric acid 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. Cyclosporine reduces renal potassium excretion, and potassium supplements add to the potassium load. This can cause clinically significant hyperkalemia, especially with renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Potassium citrate / citric acid?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check serum potassium and renal function regularly and adjust or stop potassium supplementation if potassium rises.
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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