Compare cyclosporine vs. Rapamune
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.
Prevents rejection of a transplanted organ.
Rapamune (sirolimus) is a reliable medicine that prevents rejection of an organ transplant but requires consistent monitoring.
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.
- Rapamune (sirolimus) is good at preventing organ rejection.
- Causes less harm to the kidneys with long-term use than similar medicines.
- Fewer effects on blood sugar and blood pressure compared to other immunosuppressants.
- Conveniently taken once daily.
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).
- You’ll need regular blood tests while taking Rapamune (sirolimus), especially when you first start the medicine.
- Can cause high lipids (fats like cholesterol and triglycerides), especially with lifelong use. You might need to take other medicines to control your lipids while on Rapamune (sirolimus).
- Raises your risk of infection and certain cancers.
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
- Prevention of kidney transplant rejection
- Lymphangioleiomyomatosis
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Liquid
- Pill
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$31.91
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$111.78
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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%
17possible side effects
- Swelling in arms and legs54%
- High triglycerides45%
- High blood pressure45%
- High cholesterol43%
- Higher blood creatinine (marker of poorer kidney function)39%
- Constipation36%
- Headache34%
- Stomach pain28%
- Urinary tract infection26%
- Diarrhea25%
- Nausea25%
- Joint pain25%
- Fever23%
- Low red blood cells23%
- Acne22%
- Low white blood cells14%
- Rash10%
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
- Health problems in people with liver and lung transplants
- Cancer
- Taking Rapamune (sirolimus) for a long time
- Long exposure to sunlight
- UV light
- Serious infections
- Taking other immunosuppressants
- Age 60 or older
- Weak immune system
- High blood lipids (cholesterol and triglycerides)
- History of high cholesterol
- History of high triglycerides
- Drug interactions
- Taking multiple medicines