Cyclosporin

This test is used to determine the concentration of cyclosporine in the blood sample of an individual. This medicine is usually prescribed with other medicines during organ transplant therapies or auto-immune diseases.

What is Cyclosporin?

Cyclosporine/ Cyclosporin is a type of medicine which reduces the activity of the immune system of an individual. The medicine is an extract of Tolypocladium inflatum (It is a type of fungus). It acts by selectively inhibiting T-lymphocyte cells and other components like interleukin-2, T-suppressor cells, etc. Use of this medicine is recommended by the healthcare professional for individuals undergoing solid organ transplantations, and certain autoimmune diseases like Crohn's disease, psoriasis, nephrotic syndrome, rheumatoid arthritis, etc.

Why is this test done?

This test is used to detect the concentration of cyclosporine in the blood. The medicine has a very narrow therapeutic window (safe treatment concentration) and tends to change between individuals. Patients undergoing this therapy are frequently monitored as the effective therapeutic concentrations and excretion rates tend to vary within time to time in the same individual which may lead to complications like graft rejection or side effects related to the medicine like kidney, liver failure, high blood pressure, etc.

Precautions:

The individual using this medicine may develop infections very easily it reduces overall immunity. Certain medicines/diseases/conditions may interfere with the test results. It is recommended to discuss all the essential information with your doctor before undergoing this test.