Dog · Canis lupus familiaris · typical adult weight 2.00–80.00 kg
Cyclosporine is dosed at 5 mg/kg PO q24h (initially), then q48h maintenance in dogs, per 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 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.352 (2026-08-01).. Cyclosporine is used in dogs for Atopic dermatitis, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS). Routes documented in dogs: PO, TOPICAL. A typical adult dog weighs 2.00–80.00 kg. ExoticRx lists 2 cited dose rules for Cyclosporine in dogs, drawn from published veterinary references. Verify against current literature before clinical use.
US trade names: Atopica, Optimmune
| Route | Dose | Frequency | Duration | Indication | Evidence | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PO | 5 mg/kg | q24h (initially), then q48h maintenance | Long-term | Atopic dermatitis | 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 — Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.352 (2026-08-01). |
| TOPICAL | 1 drop/eye | q12h | Long-term (lifelong) | Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) | Strong | Verified against Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook, 10th Ed, p.1384 (2026-08-01). |
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These ranges are per kg. Enter your dog's weight to get the precise dose and draw-up volume — unit and concentration math done for you.
Binds cyclophilin, inhibiting calcineurin phosphatase. Blocks IL-2 transcription in T-helper lymphocytes, suppressing cell-mediated immunity.
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-specific contraindications and adverse-reaction reports for dogs may differ from canine / feline reference data — consult the primary citations listed with each rule.
Cyclosporine dose ranges in dogs, with cited source references: PO 5 mg/kg q24h (initially), then q48h maintenance; TOPICAL 1 drop/eye q12h. Reference ranges from cited sources — verify against current literature before clinical use.
Documented routes for Cyclosporine in dogs: PO, TOPICAL.
Cited course lengths for Cyclosporine in dogs include: Long-term; Long-term (lifelong). Duration depends on the indication — match it to the specific dose rule in the table above.
Cyclosporine is indicated in dogs for: Atopic dermatitis, Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS).
These are general warnings for Cyclosporine across species; consult the dog dosing table above for species-specific guidance. 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.
Why a species-specific page? Cyclosporine pharmacokinetics differ across species: dose ranges, intervals, and route preferences are not interchangeable. Cross-extrapolation from canine doses is unsafe in dogs — the rules above are the citations specific to this species, not generic recommendations.
Sourced from published veterinary references; awaiting credentialed clinical reviewer. See our editorial process. Reference only — not veterinary advice.