Compare cyclosporine vs. Prograf

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.

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Neoral (cyclosporine)

Prescription only

Prograf (tacrolimus)

Prescription only
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.

Prevents rejection of a transplanted organ.

Prograf (tacrolimus) is a good medicine that prevents rejection of an organ transplant, but you will need to be on it lifelong.

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.
  • Prevents your body from rejecting a transplanted organ.
  • Available as an extended-release pill, so it can be taken just once daily.
  • Less cosmetic side-effects than other anti-rejection medicine like cyclosporine.
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).
  • Regular blood tests are required for monitoring while on Prograf (tacrolimus).
  • Can cause a lot of side-effects, such as high blood sugar, high blood pressure, mental status changes, and kidney damage, especially with lifelong use.
  • Increases your risk of infection and certain cancers.
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Used for
  • Prevention of heart transplant rejection
  • Prevention of liver transplant rejection
  • Prevention of kidney transplant rejection
  • Lung transplant rejection
  • Bowel transplant rejection
  • Graft-versus-host disease
Dosage forms
  • Pill
  • Liquid
  • Pill
  • Extended release
  • Injection
Price
Lowest price
$29.10
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Lowest price
$508.74
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Reviews
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Side effects
17possible side effects
  • High blood pressure
    53%
  • Abnormal kidney function
    38%
  • Tremor
    31%
  • Abnormal hair growth
    28%
  • Acne
    20%
  • Headache
    15%
  • Nausea/vomiting
    10%
  • Liver damage
    7%
  • Stomach discomfort
    7%
  • Low white blood cells
    6%
  • Blood cell tumor
    6%
  • Gum swelling
    5%
  • Uncontrolled shaking
    4%
  • Diarrhea
    4%
  • Swelling of breasts
    4%
  • Common cold symptoms
    3%
  • Burning or tingling in hands, arms, legs, or feet
    2%
See more detailed side effects
13possible side effects
  • High blood pressure
    62%
  • Kidney Function Abnormal
    56%
  • Anemia
    50%
  • Low white blood cells
    48%
  • Viral infection
    32%
  • Diabetes Mellitus
    26%
  • Infection
    24%
  • High blood sugar
    23%
  • High cholesterol
    18%
  • Bronchitis
    17%
  • Urinary Tract Infection
    16%
  • Fluid around the heart
    15%
  • Tremor
    15%
See more detailed side effects
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
See more detailed risks and warnings
  • Serious infections
    • Taking other immunosuppressant drugs
    • Age 60 or older
    • Weak immune system
  • Cancer
    • Taking Prograf (tacrolimus) for a long time
  • Heart problems
    • History of heart problems
    • Taking drugs that interact with Prograf (tacrolimus)
    • High Prograf (tacrolimus) blood levels
  • Kidney damage
    • Poor kidney function
    • Taking other drugs that can damage the kidneys
    • Taking drugs that interact with Prograf (tacrolimus)
  • Diabetes
    • African-American descent
    • Hispanic descent
  • Increased risk of death in female liver transplant patients taking extended-release Prograf (tacrolimus)
    • Females using Astagraf XL
    • Liver transplantation
See more detailed risks and warnings
Learn more about Neoral (cyclosporine)
Learn more about Prograf (tacrolimus)