Which species have cited Cyclosporine dosing data?

Cyclosporine dosing in the ExoticRx formulary covers 6 species: Blue-and-Gold Macaw, Cat (Domestic), Cockatiel, Dog (Domestic), Ferret, Umbrella Cockatoo.

Is Cyclosporine a controlled substance?

Cyclosporine is not federally scheduled in the US. Controlled-drug status differs by country — verify your local rules.

Cyclosporine

US brand names:Atopica, Optimmune(ophthalmic)

Also known as: Ciclosporin

Calculate dosage

Sourced from published veterinary references. Awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer — our editorial process.

Cyclosporine is dosed at 4–6 mg/kg PO q12h in ferrets, per Malka S, Hawkins MG, Zabolotzky SM, et al. Immune-mediated pure red cell aplasia in a domestic ferret. J Am Vet Med Assoc. 2010;237:695-700. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.955 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 11.10 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Ferrets.a). Verify against current literature before clinical use.

Drug Class

Dermatologic

Routes

POTOPICAL

Indications

Allergic dermatitisAtopic dermatitiseosinophilic granuloma complexKeratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS)Parrot bornavirusparrot bornavirus (palliative immunosuppression)Prevention of avian bornaviral clinical signsproventricular dilatation diseasePure red cell aplasia

Mechanism of Action

Binds cyclophilin, inhibiting calcineurin phosphatase. Blocks IL-2 transcription in T-helper lymphocytes, suppressing cell-mediated immunity.

Side effects & warnings

GI upset common initially (improves with time). Give on empty stomach or freeze capsules. Gingival hyperplasia. Immunosuppression — monitor for infections. Do not use modified and non-modified forms interchangeably.

Species with Cyclosporine dosing data (8 dose rules)

Blue-and-Gold Macaw Cat (Domestic)Cockatiel Dog (Domestic)Ferret Umbrella Cockatoo

Species references:All Blue-and-Gold Macaw drugs All Cat (Domestic) drugs All Cockatiel drugs All Dog (Domestic) drugs All Ferret drugs All Umbrella Cockatoo drugs

Evidence levels across 8 dose rules

Weak×4Strong×2Moderate×1Anecdotal×1

Each ExoticRx dose rule is graded by the strength of its primary evidence — see the editorial process.

Sample dosing (2 of 8 cited rules)

A dog/cat sample is shown here. Cited dosing for all 6 species — reptiles, birds, pocket pets, livestock, and equine — is free on the per-species pages above. Pro adds the weight-based calculator for every species.

Species	Route	Dose	Frequency	Evidence	Source
Dog (Domestic)	TOPICAL	1 drop/eye	q12h	Strong	Plumb's 10th ed printed p.322, Cyclosporine (Systemic) monograph spanning p.322-326.Compilation only — we have not located an independent source that prints this figure.
Dog (Domestic)	PO	5 mg/kg	q24h (initially), then q48h maintenance	Strong	ATOPICA - Cyclosporine Capsule, Gelatin Coated [US Dog Product Label]. Greenfield, IN: Elanco US, Inc; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=47f70173-a1d9-4156-9a7f-0f296e5dd64b — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.325, Cyclosporine (Systemic) monograph spanning p.322-326.

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Backed by 7 published sourcesShow

· 366. Hameed SS, Guo J, Tizard I, et al. Studies on immunity and immunopathogenesis of parrot bornaviral disease in cockatiels. Virology. 2018;515:81-91. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.429 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.3 (Antiviral and Immunomodulating Agents Used in Birds). — Carpenter's 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds).
· 415. Hoppes S, Tizard I, Shivaprasad H, et al. Treatment of avian bornavirus-infected cockatiels (Nymphicus hollandicus) with oral meloxicam and cyclosporine. Proc Annu Conf Avian Vet; 2012:27. — Source: Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary, 6th Ed, p.490 — Carpenter's Exotic Animal Formulary 6th ed, Table 5.18 (Miscellaneous Agents Used in Birds).
· ATOPICA - Cyclosporine Capsule, Gelatin Coated [US Dog Product Label]. Greenfield, IN: Elanco US, Inc; 2020. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=47f70173-a1d9-4156-9a7f-0f296e5dd64b — Plumb's 10th ed printed p.325, Cyclosporine (Systemic) monograph spanning p.322-326.

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Other formulations of Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine Ophthalmic 0.05%

Calculate Dosage for Cyclosporine