Compare cyclosporine vs. Afinitor
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Suppresses the immune system.
Neoral (cyclosporine) is good at preventing rejection of a transplanted organ, and is also used for treating rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis.
Treats different types of cancer.
Treats different types of cancer, but can cause uncomfortable side effects.
Upsides
- Neoral (cyclosporine) is safe for pregnant women to use.
- Neoral (cyclosporine) does not affect blood sugar levels as much as others in the same drug class.
- Afinitor (everolimus) comes as a pill rather than an injection, unlike some other cancer drugs.
Downsides
- You'll need regular blood tests to make sure Neoral (cyclosporine) isn't affecting your body negatively.
- Neoral (cyclosporine) can cause high blood pressure and kidney damage, especially with lifelong use.
- You might need to take other medications to control your blood pressure while on Neoral (cyclosporine).
- Afinitor (everolimus) has many uncomfortable and potentially intolerable side effects.
- You may be more prone to infections and take longer to recover from a wound while taking Afinitor (everolimus).
- Some prescription medications, vitamins and supplements can interfere with how Afinitor (everolimus) works.
- Afinitor (everolimus) might not be the best option if you have liver problems.
Used for
- Prevention of heart transplant rejection
- Prevention of kidney transplant rejection
- Prevention of liver transplant rejection
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Psoriasis
- Prevention of lung transplant rejection
- Ulcerative colitis
- Graft-versus-host disease
- Breast cancer
- Neuroendocrine tumors
- Renal angiomyolipoma
- Renal cell carcinoma
- Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma
- Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$29.60
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$15697.50
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Side effects
17possible side effects
- High blood pressure53%
- Abnormal kidney function38%
- Tremor31%
- Abnormal hair growth28%
- Acne20%
- Headache15%
- Nausea/vomiting10%
- Liver damage7%
- Stomach discomfort7%
- Low white blood cells6%
- Blood cell tumor6%
- Gum swelling5%
- Uncontrolled shaking4%
- Diarrhea4%
- Swelling of breasts4%
- Common cold symptoms3%
- Burning or tingling in hands, arms, legs, or feet2%
34possible side effects
- Mouth sores70%
- Rash59%
- Diarrhea50%
- Tiredness45%
- Swelling39%
- Stomach pain36%
- Nausea32%
- Fever31%
- Decreased appetite30%
- Headache30%
- Vomiting28%
- Weight loss28%
- Common cold25%
- Cough25%
- Nosebleed22%
- Nail disorder22%
- Itchy skin21%
- Difficulty breathing20%
- Weakness19%
- Decreased taste sensitivity19%
- Lung inflammation17%
- Urinary tract infection16%
- Joint pain15%
- Back pain15%
- Constipation14%
- Pain in extremity14%
- Difficulty sleeping14%
- Dry skin13%
- High blood pressure13%
- Dizziness12%
- Dry mouth11%
- Throat pain11%
- Diabetes10%
- Muscle spasms10%
Risks and risk factors
- Cancer
- Taking Neoral (cyclosporine) for a long time
- Prolonged exposure to sunlight
- UV light
- Serious infections
- Taking other immunosuppressants
- Age 60 or older
- Weak immune system
- High blood pressure
- High blood pressure
- Taking other medicines that can raise blood pressure
- Kidney damage
- Taking Neoral (cyclosporine) for a long time
- Taking high doses of Neoral (cyclosporine)
- Poor kidney function
- Donor age 50 or older
- Taking other medicines that can damage the kidneys
- Taking medicines that interact with Neoral (cyclosporine)
- Drug interactions
- Taking multiple medicines
- Infection
- Kidney disease
- Lung problems
- Reaction to live vaccines
- Swelling of the airways or tongue
- Taking ACE inhibitor
- Mouth ulcers