Atopica for cats: Cyclosporine Uses and Benefits for Pets

Did you know that about 6.8% of cats in studies stopped taking Atopica® due to side effects? Still, Atopica® is a key drug for helping cats with itchy, inflamed skin from allergies.

Atopica® contains cyclosporine, approved by the FDA. It tweaks the immune system, lessening swelling. So, it’s great for skin issues caused by allergies. It also helps with conditions like stomatitis, intestinal problems, and some skin diseases.

Key Takeaways

• Atopica® (cyclosporine) is an FDA-approved drug for handling allergic skin issues in cats.
• It might be used off-label for other immune problems in cats, like certain mouth, gut, or skin issues.
• Possible side effects include stomach troubles, less energy, and changes in behavior.
• Don’t give Atopica® to cats that had cancer, FeLV, FIV, or react badly to this drug.
• Always store Atopica® correctly and watch your cat closely while they’re on it.

What is Cyclosporine (Atopica®) for Cats?

Cyclosporine (Atopica®) helps manage itching and inflammation in cats. It’s specifically for allergic dermatitis. This medication changes the immune response, helping to reduce inflammation and itching³.

Formulations of Cyclosporine (Atopica®) for Cats

Cyclosporine comes in an oral solution. This includes Atopica® and the generic Modulis® for Cats³. The Atopica 100 mg/ml oral solution is made for both cats and dogs³. It has Ciclosporin 100 mg in each ml. It’s mainly for cats with chronic allergic dermatitis³.

“Cyclosporine (Atopica®) is an FDA-approved prescription veterinary medication used for the management of itching and inflammation due to allergic dermatitis in cats.”

Dogs over 2 kg can also use Atopica for some skin issues. But, they shouldn’t take it if they’re allergic to it or its parts³.

Conditions Treated with Cyclosporine (Atopica®) in Cats

Cyclosporine, known as Atopica®, is used to handle autoimmune and inflammatory diseases in cats. It’s a strong medication that helps with many tough health problems⁴.

Stomatitis (Inflammatory Condition of the Gums and Tissues of the Mouth)

Stomatitis makes the gums and mouth tissues inflamed. It’s really painful and makes eating hard. Cyclosporine can reduce the inflammation and pain, making it easier for cats to eat⁴.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

IBD causes long-term digestive tract issues. Cats with IBD may vomit, have diarrhea, or lose weight. Cyclosporine helps control the autoimmune and inflammatory parts of IBD⁴.

Autoimmune Skin Diseases like Pemphigus Erythematosus and Foliaceus

Pemphigus erythematosus and pemphigus foliaceus are autoimmune skin diseases. They make the immune system attack the skin, causing painful sores. Cyclosporine calms the immune system, helping the skin heal⁴.

Immune-Mediated Thrombocytopenia

Immune-mediated thrombocytopenia is when the immune system destroys platelets. This can lead to severe bleeding. Cyclosporine can improve platelet counts by holding back the immune system⁴.

“Cyclosporine (Atopica®) has revolutionized the care of autoimmune and inflammatory conditions in cats. Its immune system control lets us handle conditions we struggled with before.”
– Dr. Sarah Williamson, Veterinary Dermatologist

Cyclosporine is key in fighting several feline diseases. It treats problems in the mouth, gut, skin, and blood. This medication has made a big difference in treating many hard-to-manage diseases in cats⁵⁶.

How Cyclosporine (Atopica®) Works in Cats

Cyclosporine is the main part in Atopica® and it’s great for cats⁷. It works by changing the cat’s immune system. This change helps with problems like allergic dermatitis by controlling T-cells, which are very important in fighting off sickness⁷.

It’s good for cats that are at least 6 months old and weigh 3 lbs. Atopica® helps with itchy skin and lets you stop using steroids. And best of all, it’s easy to give to your cat⁷.

Cyclosporine stops T-cells from causing too much inflammation⁸. By doing this, it cuts down on the immune system going crazy. This helps with problems like allergic dermatitis in cats⁸.

Atopica® comes in two sizes, 5 ml and 17 ml, with 100 mg/ml concentration⁷. Cats start with a daily dose of 7 mg/kg. The dose may change depending on how well your cat does⁹.

The power of cyclosporine is in how it stops T-cells from causing too much inflammation. This is key in treating diseases like allergic dermatitis. Atopica® can give your cat long-lasting care for these hard conditions⁷.

Cyclosporine (Atopica®) for cats: Considerations and Precautions

Administering cyclosporine (Atopica®) to cats needs careful thought. It works by lowering the immune system. This can make it harder for sick cats to fight infections. So, it might up the chance of getting cancer¹⁰. It’s best not to give this to cats with cancer history or those with diseases like FeLV or FIV¹⁰.

Also, if a cat is very sensitive to cyclosporine, don’t use it¹⁰. And keep in mind, it’s not good for cats at risk of Toxoplasma. This is because it can make it more likely for them to get sick with toxoplasmosis¹⁰.

Before starting Atopica®, ensure the cat is not infected with FeLV or FIV¹⁰. And be very careful when you handle or give the medicine. Accidental exposure is serious. If it happens, contact a doctor right away¹⁰. Knowing these points helps pet owners and vets use cyclosporine (Atopica®) safely for allergies in cats.

Administering Cyclosporine (Atopica®) to Cats

It’s key to give cats cyclosporine properly. This immunosuppressant, known as Atopica®, helps with allergic skin issues in cats¹¹. Vets recommend starting with 3.2 mg per pound of your cat’s weight each day. This continues for at least 4 to 6 weeks or until symptoms stop¹¹.

Giving Atopica® with food makes it work better in cats¹¹. First, your vet might have you give it every day. Then, they could lower how often your cat takes it. This is to find the smallest amount your cat needs to feel better¹¹.

Dosage Frequency and Monitoring

The dose of Atopica® can change based on how well your cat responds¹². Your vet will keep an eye on things. They check the dose and watch out for any side effects¹².

• For cats with atopic dermatitis, the recommended dosage is typically 5 to 7 mg/kg/day¹³.
• For systemic immune-mediated conditions, higher doses of 10 mg/kg/day or more may be needed¹³.
• Your vet might do some tests a few days after you start. They will check the level of cyclosporine in your cat’s blood¹³.
• They will also test your cat’s response to the medicine after about a week on a stable dose¹³.

It’s really important to follow your vet’s Atopica® plan carefully. This will help your cat get better¹².

“Federal (USA) Law restricts the use of ATOPICA for Cats to be by or on the order of a licensed veterinarian.”¹¹

By sticking to your vet’s advice for Atopica®, you can make your cat’s life better. This is true for managing allergies or immune issues¹²¹¹¹³.

Potential Side Effects of Cyclosporine (Atopica®) in Cats

Cyclosporine (Atopica®) is usually safe for cats, but it has side effects pet owners need to know¹⁴. Cats might have stomach problems, like throwing up or not eating much, especially at the start of treatment¹⁴¹⁵.

If your cat is on cyclosporine, watch for them seeming tired, drooling a lot, or acting strangely, like they’re more or less active or even showing more anger¹⁴. Also, this medicine could lower their body’s defenses, which might raise the chance of getting sick in other ways or of old illnesses coming back, such as toxoplasmosis¹⁵.

Cyclosporine might, but it’s not proven, make cancer a bit more likely because it tampers with the immune system, particularly the part that fights off certain types of cancers¹⁵.

“It could be that by using cyclosporine, the part of your immune system that fights off certain types of cancer might not work as well, making you a little more at risk of some cancers.”

Keep an eye out for side effects in your cat and tell your vet right away if you see any. It’s crucial to follow the prescription and have your cat regularly checked while they’re on cyclosporine (Atopica®)¹⁴¹⁵.

Not all cats get side effects from cyclosporine, and for many, the good it does in treating skin problems is more important than the risks¹⁴. To figure out what’s best for your cat, have a talk with your vet about the good and not so good aspects of this medicine¹⁴¹⁵¹⁶.

Monitoring and Precautions with Cyclosporine (Atopica®)

When your cat is on Atopica®, it’s important to have close oversight from your vet. They will do blood tests often. These tests check how your cat’s immune system is doing. They also make sure the medicine is not harming the liver, kidneys, or blood¹⁷.

If your cat looks very sick or keeps losing weight, stop Atopica®. Then, call your vet quickly¹⁷.

Using cyclosporin when breeding has not been fully studied. So, vets must weigh the risks and benefits for pregnant or nursing cats carefully¹⁷. In tests, the medicine was not good for baby animals at certain amounts. It led to some babies not surviving and others having skeleton problems¹⁷.

Be careful of how Atopica® mixes with other drugs. The dose might need changing, especially with some enzymes present¹⁷.

Watching how your cat reacts to Atopica® is key. Regular vet visits and blood checks are a must. They help make sure the medicine is helping your pet safely¹⁷¹⁸.

“Atopica® must be used with caution in cats with pre-existing medical conditions, and the risk-benefit assessment should be carefully considered by the veterinarian.”

Drug Interactions with Cyclosporine (Atopica®)

Cyclosporine is what makes Atopica® work. It helps control the immune system in cats. This is useful for dealing with certain health problems¹⁹. But, be careful because cyclosporine can mix badly with other drugs. This can change how well it works in the body²⁰.

Cyclosporine and many other medications are handled the same way by the body. They use a system called the P-450 system. So, when used together, they can make the blood levels of cyclosporine go up or down. This could cause health problems or make it less effective²⁰.

• For instance, watch out if your cat is taking cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), itraconazole (Sporanox), or methylprednisolone (Medrol). These can mix poorly with cyclosporine¹².
• Other drugs to be cautious with are SMZ-TMP (Bactrim, Septra), gentamicin, etodolac (EtoGesic), and piroxicam (Feldene)¹².

If your cat is on any meds, even over-the-counter ones, tell your vet. This way, necessary adjustments can be made. Your vet might change the cyclosporine dose or other meds. They will do this to keep your cat healthy and avoid bad drug mixtures²⁰¹⁹.

“Careful monitoring and management of drug interactions is essential when using cyclosporine (Atopica®) in cats to ensure the optimal therapeutic outcome and minimize the risk of adverse events.”

Cyclosporine (Atopica®) Storage and Handling

To keep cyclosporine (Atopica®) working well and safe for cats, how you store and handle it matters a lot. The Atopica® oral solution must be in a place with temperatures from 59 to 86°F (15 to 30°C). Always keep the container closed tight to shield the drug against both moisture and light.

When you have compounded medications, stick to the written instructions from the compounding pharmacy. Atopica® for Cats is a special prescription medicine that should be away from kids and animals. Also, use gloves when giving it and wash your hands right after to avoid contact.

After you first open the Atopica® for Cats container, finish it within two months for the small size and 11 weeks for the larger one. Good storage and use practices help the medication stay strong and keep everyone safe.

By strictly keeping to these rules on storage and handling, cat owners show they care about their pet’s well-being and the effectiveness of cyclosporine (Atopica®).

Conclusion

Cyclosporine is sold as Atopica® for Cats. It’s a trusted medicine for handling feline allergic dermatitis and autoimmune issues. Studies show it can control inflammation, fix skin issues, and boost certain immune cells²².

Atopica®’s ability to be absorbed and used in the body has been carefully researched. The evidence points to stable blood levels and possible similar effects to newer drugs²³. However, it’s crucial to know the possible bad reactions. These can include stomach problems and changes in blood tests. Long-term treatment needs careful watching²⁴.

Atopica® for Cats is a key weapon against cat skin problems and autoimmune diseases. More and more, studies agree it’s safe and helpful when used right. Always listen to your vet and stick to their advice for the best results for your cat.

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