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What is the most important information I should know about Atopica: Notify your
veterinarian immediately if your pet develops fever or chills, unusual bleeding or bruising,
pale stools, or darkened urine. These symptoms could be early signs of dangerous side
effects.
What is Atopica: Atopica (cyclosporine modified) is an
immunosuppressant available by prescription. Atopica is FDA approved for use in the treatment
of atopic dermatitis in dogs at least 6 months of age and at least 4.5 pounds. Cyclosporine is
not FDA approved for veterinary use in cats. However, it is a commonly accepted practice for
veterinarians to use this medication in cats. Atopica is available as 10mg, 25mg, 50mg and
100mg blister packs, each containing 15 capsules. The usual dose of Atopica in dogs is
2.5mg/pound and for cats the usual dose is 2.3-3.1mg/pound. The medication is usually given
once a day to start until satisfactory improvement is seen, usually 4 to 8 weeks. The
medication can then be given every other day until the clinical signs of atopic dermatitis are
satisfactorily controlled, then the medication can be given every 3 or 4 days.
What should I discuss with my veterinarian before giving
Atopica: Tell your veterinarian if your pet has liver disease, kidney disease, cancer, high
blood pressure, a viral, bacterial or fungal infection, or any other serious or chronic
condition. Tell your veterinarian if your pet is pregnant or lactating, and if you plan to
breed your pet.
How should this medication be given: Give Atopica exactly as
directed by your veterinarian. If you do not understand these directions, ask your veterinarian
or pharmacist to explain them to you. Always give Atopica 2 hours before or 2 hours after a
meal. Allow plenty of water for the pet to drink. Do not remove a capsule from the blister pack
until required for use. When the capsule is removed from the blister pack there is a
characteristic, noticeable smell which is normal. Your veterinarian may want your pet to have
regularly scheduled blood tests during treatment to monitor effectiveness and side effects.
Store Atopica at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss giving a dose: Give the missed dose as
soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the dose you missed and give
the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not give a double dose unless otherwise directed by your
veterinarian.
What happens if I overdose the pet: Seek emergency veterinary
medical treatment.
What should I avoid while giving Atopica to my pet: The safe use
in breeding, pregnant or lactating dogs has not been determined. Do not use Atopica in dogs
with known allergy to the medication. The drug should not be used in dogs with kidney disease,
stomach ulcers, and certain blood disorders. Prolonged use of Atopica can result in bacterial
or fungal infection related to a decreased effect of the immune system.
What are the possible side effects of Atopica: If any of the
following serious side effects occur, stop giving Atopica and seek emergency veterinary medical
attention; an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, swelling of the lips, tongue or face,
and hives). Other less serious side effects may occur. Continue giving Atopica and talk to your
veterinarian if your pet develops vomiting, soft stools or diarrhea, muscle cramps, muscle
weakness, loss of appetite, and change of hair coat. Other side effects may occur. Talk to your
veterinarian about any side effect that seems unusual or bothersome to the animal.
What other drugs will affect Atopica: There are many drug/drug
interactions that occur when taking Atopica. Tell your veterinarian what medications your pet
is currently using and any new products, including herbal remedies you may start to give.
Drug/drug interactions could cause a decrease in effectiveness or an increase in side effects
of either Atopica or the other medication being given. Examples of medications that may cause
drug/drug interactions are; SMZ-TMP (Bactrim, Septra), gentamicin, etodolac (EtoGesic),
piroxicam (Feldene), ketoconazole (Nizoral), cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac),
itraconoazole (Sporanox), methylprednisolone (Medrol), erythromycin, Allopurinol (Zyloprim),
metoclopramide (Reglan), prednisOLOne, digoxin (Lanoxin), any type of vaccination.
Where can I get more information: Your pharmacist has additional
information about Atopica written for health professionals that you can read.
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