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 (Beauveria nivea synonym Tolypocladium inflatum) 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

Some immunosuppressants a healthcare provider may prescribe include cyclosporine or hydroxychloroquine. —Karen Pallarito, Health, 24 Mar. 2024

By the mid-1970s, Dr. Calne was testing a new immunosuppressive drug, cyclosporine, championed by Jean-François Borel of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Sandoz. —Harrison Smith, Washington Post, 17 Jan. 2024

Schreiber liked the idea of studying a new drug without cyclosporine’s long history. —Gary Taubes, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019

However, some drugs, especially those that work on heart rhythms (like amiodarone), immunosuppressants (including cyclosporine, tacrolimus and other related drugs), and chemotherapy, are at a high risk for a drug interaction with even one grapefruit or glass of juice daily. —Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 28 Feb. 2023

Kahwash started her on a low dose of cyclosporine. —New York Times, 9 May 2022

After that, Verghese said doctors typically try calcineurin inhibitors like tacrolimus or cyclosporine, which suppress the immune system, and then rituximab. —Tara Bannow, STAT, 2 Mar. 2023

Kahwash sent the patient to the lab to get tested for each of them and started her on a higher dose of cyclosporine. —New York Times, 9 May 2022

One example of an immunosuppressant used to help manage atopic dermatitis is the oral medication cyclosporine, says Dr. Libby. —Jessie Van Amburg, Health.com, 30 Nov. 2021

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1976, in the meaning defined above

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.