cyclosporine

noun cy·clo·spor·ine \ ˌsī-klə-ˈspȯr-ən , -ˌēn \

variants: or less commonly cyclosporin play \ˌsī-klə-ˈspȯr-ən\

|Updated on: 13 Jun 2018

Definition of cyclosporine

: an immunosuppressive drug C₆₂H₁₁₁N₁₁O₁₂ that is a cyclic polypeptide obtained as a metabolite from a fungus (Beauveria nivea synonym Tolypocladium inflatum) and is used especially to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis

Recent Examples of cyclosporine from the Web

Fungi are the basis for many drugs, including the antibiotic penicillin, the immunosuppressant cyclosporine and the cholesterol buster lovastatin, so Blanchette wondered if these Antarctic species might produce any useful molecules.

— peter andrey smith, Scientific American, "Microbes Living in Antarctic Huts Produce Novel Chemical Compounds," 1 June 2018
She was started the same day on high doses of prednisone and cyclosporine, an immune-suppressing medicine often used in transplant patients.

— lisa sanders, m.d., New York Times, "It Began with Sudden Blackouts. Then Came Some Alarming News.," 17 Aug. 2017
Some organ-transplant rejection drugs, such as Sandimmune and Neoral (both cyclosporine). •

— kathy r. byrnes, Cincinnati.com, "Dr. says no grapefruit – Here’s why," 6 Aug. 2017
The most commonly used systemic medications for pediatric psoriasis include acitretin, methotrexate and cyclosporine, with the latter two drugs causing suppression of the immune system.

— kate e. oberlin, m.d., and lawrence a. schachner, m.d. taking the next steps, miamiherald, "Your child has psoriasis, now how do you treat it?," 31 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cyclosporine.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of cyclosporine

International Scientific Vocabulary cycl- + spor- + ²-ine

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1976

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Medical Dictionary

cyclosporine

noun cy·clo·spor·ine \ ˌsī-klə-ˈspȯr-ᵊn, -ˌēn \

variants: also cyclosporin \ˌsī-klə-ˈspȯr-ᵊn\ or cyclosporine A or cyclosporin A or chiefly British ciclosporin or ciclosporin A

medical Definition of cyclosporine

: a cyclosporin C₆₂H₁₁₁N₁₁O₁₂ that is an immunosuppressive cyclic polypeptide obtained as a metabolite from a fungus (Beauveria nivea synonym Tolypocladium inflatum) and is used especially to prevent rejection of transplanted organs and in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis

The indications for treatment with cyclosporine are rapidly expanding. Once used only for the prevention of organ transplant rejection, cyclosporine is now approved for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis and is being prescribed for conditions ranging from autoimmune diseases to atopic dermatitis.
—Mark Lebwohl, Scientitic American Medicine Bulletin, February 2000

Recently, cyclosporine has come on the market as an especially useful immunosuppressive agent, since it offers essentially equal protection from rejection of the transplant, while causing less impairment of immunological defenses against bacteria and viruses.
—James D. Hardy, The World of Surgery, 1986

Cyclosporin, an antirejection drug that helps make organ transplants feasible, comes from a Norwegian fungus.
—Jon R. Luoma, Audubon, March 1996

Prolonged treatment with glucocorticoids can have undesirable side effects (including diabetes mellitus), while cyclosporine A can cause diarrhea and vomiting (and diminished bank accounts for owners of large dogs).
—Dog Watch, July 2007

Note: Trademarks for cyclosporine include Neoral, Restasis, and Sandimmune.