Therapeutics Research Note: Freezing Cyclosporine

Cyclosporine is an immunomodulatory cyclic oligopeptide macrolide that inhibits cytoplasmic calcineurin, which results in immunomodulatory activity; it is used in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and immune-mediated diseases (eg, perianal fistulas, sebaceous adenitis, inflammatory bowel disease, immune-mediated hemolytic anemia, granulomatous meningoencephalitis). In some patients, vomiting merits discontinuation of cyclosporine; the drug is commonly frozen to reduce vomiting incidence. Based on this study, storing capsules in a household freezer is not likely to change cyclosporine stability or absorption in dogs.