Information on Cyclosporine – to freeze or not to freeze?

[admin]

Hi everyone

Here we go again!

The cyclosporine freezing has become a bit of an “old chestnut” on here – some vets say freeze it, some don’t. As moderators, we therefore decided the best thing to do was to get advice from Dr Dodds so we can pass her advice onto you guys on here. She says don’t freeze it – stick to the storage instructions from the manufacturer on the package.

Adam’s topic on Tiger has raised this question again. I agree strongly with Mary & Patrice – we don’t know if freezing affects or even alters the cyclosporine in some way – we have no proof so far that it doesn’t. Therefore I would NOT freeze it. As an ex-nurse, I know it is imperative to correctly store & administer drugs according to the manufacturers instructions. Mary is also a nurse & understands how important this is.

As moderators, we want to give you consistent, factual information as much as we possibly can, however other people’s opinions are always welcome & it is REALLY GOOD to discuss these things openly – we don’t want anyone to feel they can’t talk about something/anything. But please understand that we must be consistent with OUR advice – it’s nothing personal – we just want everyone’s dog or cat to recover as quickly as possible. Remember we all do this because we care about each & every one of you & your pets – not for any other reason. Diarrhoea usually subsides when the initial loading (high) dose is reduced, therefore should only be a temporary issue.

Until the manufacturers of cyclosporine tell us otherwise, we must continue to advise everyone not to freeze it.

Sorry if I sound like a naggy baggy, but these things have to be said!
Love to you all & your babies
Sheena x

[admin]

Hi folks
Just realised you couldn’t get into this topic, so have changed the name.
Sheena x

[Dorothy]

I use a mail order pharmacy for my cat’s cyclosporine (atopica). They shipped it and it happened to arrive on the one day that the mailbox did not get checked (we live on a rural route). I realized the possibility the medicine had come in and immediately sent someone to the mailbox. A snow/ice storm came through last night. When I opened the package the bottle of liquid frozen solid. I am not going to heat it. I am going to let it set in the counter and thaw at room temperature. I plan to call the mail order pharmacy in the morning and see what they would have me do. I’m nearly out of medication and my cat’s allergies are fairly severe. Any thoughts?

[Vally]

Dorothy, how frustrating for you.

The product leaflet says store at controlled room temperature between 59 and 77°F (15-25°C). See https://www.secondchanceaihadogs.com/medication-resources/#mg

Regards, Vally

[Vally]

Me again Dorothy,

Patrice, the owner of the site suggests you let it come to room temperature slowly. Its more important that your cat get something.

I think that’s what you were doing.

My best, Vally

[Vally]

Me again,

Meant to add that I often had the opposite problem. Most Summer days start at mid 20s and end up in the the 30s (Celsius), occasional days in the low 40s. I had often though about it being too hot for them too.

Another idea too for your cat’s allergies, Dr Jean Dodds has been a huge help to a lot of us here in dealing with this disease. She’s a truly fabulous person who runs a animal blood bank, greyhound rescue and adoption, and specialty veterinary diagnostic laboratory. She does a specialised allergy scan. Just a thought.

Good luck with everything.

Vally & Bingo (once again)

[Jeremy Bachtel]

This may be an old post but it shows up on Google search still…I published a paper demonstrating no appreciable differences in pharmacokinetics between frozen and room temperature cyclosporine (Atopica capsules). While still off-label, the practice of freezing the capsules for 4 weeks did not affect absorption in dogs. For what it’s worth…

Jeremy Bachtel DVM MS Diplomate ACVD

[Sheena]

Hi Jeremy

Thank you very much indeed for letting us know the results of your paper – it is VERY useful to know that freezing does not alter the efficacity. I hope Patrice will add this information to the glossary.

Again, thank you so much for taking the time & effort to ensure the facts are given to owners going through the worry of IMHA / bone marrow failure.

Sheena