Cyclosporine and Dexamethasone interaction
Cyclosporine and Dexamethasone: both prescribing labels flag this combination with the strongest language, such as a contraindication, a boxed warning, or an instruction to avoid it.
Do not combine without a prescriber's guidance. The label language below is the strongest FDA uses.
What the FDA labels say
From the Dexamethasone (Hemady) label · effective 2026-01-09
• Avoid concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or inducers.
Avoid coadministration of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors or consider alternative medication that are not strong CYP3A4 inhibitors.
If concomitant use of strong CYP3A4 inhibitors cannot be avoided, closely monitor for adverse drug reactions.
Cyclosporine Increased activity of both cyclosporine and corticosteroids may occur when the two are used concurrently.
( 7.2 ) 7.1 Effect of Other Drugs on HEMADY Strong CYP3A4 inhibitors Coadministration of strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors increased dexamethasone exposure [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.3 )] , which may increase the risk of adverse reactions [see Warnings and Precautions ( 5 ) and Adverse Reactions ( 6 )] .
From the Cyclosporine (Neoral) label · effective 2026-08-10
…in perfusion > decrease in tubular function Increased uptake of Indium 111 labeled platelets or Tc-99m in colloid Therapy Responds to decreased cyclosporine Responds to increased steroids or antilymphocyte globulin A form of a cyclosporine-associated nephropathy is characterized by serial deterioration in renal function and morphologic changes in the kidneys.
In the event of severe and unremitting rejection, when rescue therapy with pulse steroids and monoclonal antibodies fail to reverse the rejection episode, it may be preferable to switch to alternative immunosuppressive therapy rather than increase the Neoral dose to excessive blood concentrations.
Predisposing factors, such as hypertension, hypomagnesemia, hypocholesterolemia, high-dose corticosteroids, high cyclosporine blood concentrations, and graft-versus-host disease, have been noted in many but not all of the reported cases.
Drugs That Increase Cyclosporine Concentrations Calcium Channel Blockers Antifungals Antibiotics Glucocorticoids Other Drugs diltiazem fluconazole azithromycin methylprednisolone Allopurinol nicardipine itraconazole clarithromycin Amiodarone verapamil ketoconazole erythromycin Bromocriptine voriconazole quinupristin/ dalfopristin colchicine danazol imatinib metoclopramide…
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Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.