Drug interactions
Cyclosporin + Sildenafil
Severity: Moderate
Cyclosporin and Sildenafil: 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 increases sildenafil exposure, which can intensify hypotension, headache, flushing and visual effects. Sildenafil may also affect cyclosporine only minimally.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cyclosporin and Sildenafil 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; Sildenafil belongs to Genitourinary.
Why it happens
Cyclosporine inhibits CYP3A4-mediated sildenafil metabolism.
What to do
Use a lower starting sildenafil dose (for erectile dysfunction, 25 mg) and monitor blood pressure. For pulmonary hypertension, use the lowest effective dose.
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 Sildenafil
- Amyl nitrite + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Atazanavir + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Cobicistat + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Glyceryl trinitrate pr + Sildenafil Contraindicated
- Isosorbide dinitrate + Sildenafil Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cyclosporin with Sildenafil?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cyclosporin and Sildenafil 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 increases sildenafil exposure, which can intensify hypotension, headache, flushing and visual effects. Sildenafil may also affect cyclosporine only minimally.
How serious is the interaction between Cyclosporin and Sildenafil?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Use a lower starting sildenafil dose (for erectile dysfunction, 25 mg) and monitor blood pressure. For pulmonary hypertension, use the lowest effective dose.
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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