| Cyclosporine can be administered to asthmatic cats as an adjunct to glucocorticoid therapy because of its inhibitory effect on activated T lymphocytes. Although its adverse effects are less severe in cats than in humans, cyclosporine is typically reserved for use in cats with severe signs despite high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. It is initially given at 10 mg/kg, PO, bid, but oral absorption is unpredictable, so weekly therapeutic drug monitoring needs to be
performed until trough blood concentrations of 500-1,000 ng/mL are reached. Therapeutic drug monitoring for cyclosporine can be done at most human hospitals. |
