Neoral (Cyclosporine) for Rheumatoid Arthritis

Overview
Neoral is a prescription drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat severe, active rheumatoid arthritis when the disease has not adequately responded to methotrexate. Neoral is also referred to by its drug name, cyclosporine. Cyclosporine is also sold under the brand name Sandimmune.

Neoral is an immunosuppressant, or in other words, a drug that suppresses the immune system. Neoral is also considered a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD). Neoral is believed to work by binding to proteins in T cells, a type of white blood cell, interfering with their growth and activity, and preventing them from participating in autoimmune attacks.

How do I take it?
Neoral is available as a capsule or solution to be taken orally twice daily. Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while taking Neoral.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Neoral lists common side effects including kidney dysfunction, high blood pressure, headache, gastrointestinal disturbances, and excess hair growth.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Neoral include irregular heartbeat, chest pain, heart attack, heart failure, severe allergic reactions, and low blood cell counts.

For more details about this treatment, visit:

Cyclosporine Patient Fact Sheet — American College of Rheumatology
https://www.rheumatology.org/Portals/0/Files/Cy...

Cyclosporine (Oral Route) — Mayo Clinic
https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/cy...