Visit: https://nursing.com/140meds to request your free copy of "140 Must Know Meds" Generic Name Cyclosporine Trade Name Sandimmune Indication Prevention of rejection in transplantation, treatment of severe RA, management of ulcerative colitis Action Inhibits normal immune response primarily by decreasing the activity of T cells Therapeutic Class Immunosuppressant, antirheumatics (DMARD) Pharmacologic Class Polypeptides (cyclic) Nursing Considerations • May cause seizures, tremors, hypertension, hepatotoxicity, diarrhea, N/V, gingival hyperplasia • Increases immune suppression with corticosteroids • Avoid grapefruit juice while taking this medications • Assess for signs of organ rejection • Monitor renal panel, liver enzymes • Take medication as directed • Lifelong therapy required for transplant patients • Instruct pt on how to take blood pressure