Ciclosporin
Ciclosporin (also called cyclosporine) is a systemic medication that has been used to treat psoriasis for a number of years now.
How does it work?
Ciclosporin works by preventing your immune system from causing the rapid replacement of skin cells that leads to psoriasis.
When is it used?
You may be prescribed ciclosporin if your psoriasis is severe and when other therapies (such as topical therapies) have not been effective.
How is it taken?
Ciclosporin can be taken as pills or as a liquid. At first, you will probably need to take it twice a day. This may be changed by your healthcare team if your psoriasis changes, or due to side effects of the treatment. If your psoriasis does not improve with ciclosporin, your healthcare team will probably stop this therapy after 6 weeks. Alternatively, they may continue to prescribe you a lower dose of ciclosporin (to control your psoriasis, but reduce the risks associated with long-term treatment).
Advantages and disadvantages
Ciclosporin can benefit many people whose psoriasis has not improved with topical therapies.
Ciclosporin can cause a range of side effects. The most common of these are, increases in the amounts of lipids or cholesterol in your blood, tremor (the shakes), headaches, increased blood pressure and kidney damage.
Because of the possibility of kidney damage, and of the rarer side effect of liver damage, your healthcare team will probably carry out regular check-ups during treatment. These check ups will normally include blood samples being taken, so that your healthcare team can monitor any early signs of kidney or liver damage.
If you have any questions about ciclosporin, you may want to discuss them with a member of your healthcare team.