Cylcosporine (Sandimmune, Neoral)

Sandimmune and Neoral are brand names for cyclosporine. Neoral is a newer formulation of cyclosporine, the active ingredient. Cyclosporine is in a class of medications called immunosuppressive agents. These drugs work to suppress the immune system. Sandimmune and Neoral are prescribed to treat severe rheumatoid arthritis. Sandimmune is always given with a steroid medication (such as prednisone). Cyclosporine may be given alone or with methotrexate (Rheumatrex) when methotrexate is not effective.