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Gengraf vs. Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine modified (Gengraf) is an immunosuppressant that helps prevent organ rejection after a transplant (e.g., kidney, liver, heart). It can also treat severe rheumatoid arthritis and plaque psoriasis in adults. This medication comes in capsules and a liquid form. It's taken by mouth twice daily, and the dosage depends on your condition. Serious risks of the medication include infection and cancer. Other side effects can include high blood pressure, a lot of hair growth all over, and kidney problems. Cyclosporine modified (Gengraf) is available as both brand name and generic. It's typically taken together with other medications.

• Preventing organ rejection after a kidney, liver, or heart transplant
• Treating severe rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
• Treating severe plaque psoriasis

For preventing rejection after kidney, liver, or heart transplant: Side effects for transplant were reported in people taking a similar medication called cyclosporine (Sandimmune)

• Shaking (up to 55%)
• High blood pressure (up to 53%)
• Excessive hair growth on face, back, and chest (up to 45%)
• Kidney problems (up to 38%)
• Urinary tract infection (21%)
• Viral infections (16%)
• Overgrowth of gums (up to 16%)
• Nausea or vomiting (up to 10%)

For rheumatoid arthritis:

• Higher creatinine levels (possible kidney problem; up to 48%)
• Headache (25%)
• High blood pressure (25%)
• Nausea (18%)
• Stomach pain (15%)
• Excessive hair growth on face, back, and chest (15%)
• Diarrhea (13%)
• General pain (13%)
• Shaking (13%)
• Upper respiratory tract infection (13%)
• Muscle cramps (12%)
• Numbness, tingling, or burning in arms or legs (11%)

For psoriasis:

• High blood pressure (28%)
• Infection (25%)
• Higher creatinine levels (possible kidney problem; 20%)
• Headache (16%)
• High triglyceride levels (15%)

• Prescribing physician must be experienced and treatment must be monitored
• Not equal to cyclosporine (Sandimmune)
• Risk of serious infections
• Risk of cancer
• High blood pressure
• Kidney damage
• Liver damage
• Brain damage
• Low platelet and red blood cell counts
• High potassium and uric acid levels
• Harmful effects from alcohol

Unmodified cyclosporine (Sandimmune) belongs to a drug class called calcineurin inhibitors. It's used to prevent rejection after an organ transplant, usually along with corticosteroids. Typically, cyclosporine (Sandimmune) is taken by mouth once daily. Your provider will measure the level of cyclosporine (Sandimmune) in your blood to help determine your dose and minimize side effects. This medication is available as a brand-name version and lower-cost generic.

• Prevention of heart, liver, and kidney transplant rejection
• Treatment of chronic (long-term) rejection in heart, liver, and kidney transplant recipients previously treated with other immunosuppressive medications

• Tremor (21-55%)
• High blood pressure (13-53%)
• Hair growth on face, chest, and back in females (21-45%)
• Kidney problems (25-38%)

• Medication absorption
• Kidney damage
• Liver problems
• Possible risk of cancer
• Serious infections
• Side effects affecting brain function, nerves, and movement
• High blood pressure
• Vaccines