cyclosporine

noun

cy·​clo·​spor·​ine ˌsī-klə-ˈspȯr-ən 

-ˌēn

variants or less commonly cyclosporin

ˌsī-klə-ˈspȯr-ən 

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

Examples of cyclosporine in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples of calcineurin inhibitors include cyclosporine and Prograf (tacrolimus). —Karen Berger, Verywell Health, 15 Aug. 2025

By the 1990s, immunosuppressants like cyclosporine and tacrolimus opened new possibilities for transplants of multiple tissues. —Nadia Kounang, CNN Money, 17 May 2025

Grapefruit affects cyclosporine by increasing how much of the drug your body absorbs and increasing cyclosporine levels in the blood. —Kirstyn Hill, Pharmd, Mph, Health, 9 Dec. 2024

Bio-ethicist and psychiatrist Dr. Jacob Appel helps Lane understand the history of progress in kidney transplantation, which came rapidly after the discovery of cyclosporine, an immunosuppressive agent used to treat organ rejection post-transplant. —Alissa Simon, Variety, 26 June 2024

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cyclosporine

• acetylene
• adenosine
• amphetamine
• anthropocene
• antipyrine
• apomorphine
• apoprotein
• aquamarine
• arsphenamine
• azobenzene
• buprenorphine
• chlorobenzene

Medical Definition

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

: 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

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

Cyclosporin, an antirejection drug that helps make organ transplants feasible, comes from a Norwegian fungus.

—Jon R. Luoma, Audubon

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

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