Immunosuppressants
What are immunosuppressants?
Immunosuppressant is a term used to
describe a number of drugs or medicines that suppress or lower
the body's ability to reject a transplanted organ. Another term
for these drugs is anti-rejection drugs. Examples of
immunosuppressants used for kidney transplants are:
cyclosporine, azathioprine, prednisone and FK 506.
What are immunosuppressants used for?
When you get a kidney transplant, your
body knows that the new kidney is foreign (that is, not
originally part of your body). Your body will attack the new
kidney and try to damage or destroy it. The immunosuppressant
drugs suppress your body's ability to do this. The goal is to
adjust these drugs to prevent rejection and to minimize any side
effects of the drugs.
Does everyone who gets a new kidney have
to take immunosuppressants?
Almost everyone who has a transplant must
take these drugs every day as directed. If your new kidney came
from an identical twin, however, you may not have to take them.
Even missing a single dose may make it more likely for you to
have a rejection. The only time you should skip a dose is if
your doctor or other health care team member tells you to do so.
If you are not sure, call your doctor.
Because of the large number of pills
transplant patients may need to take each day, forgetting a dose
is easy to do. Two things can be done to prevent this. First,
you must know the name of each drug you take and what it does.
If you have a good understanding of your drugs, you will be less
likely to forget one. A second thing you can do is use a pill
box or organizer. This is a device that allows you to set up an
entire week of pills at once. Once the week is set up, all you
have to do is take the pills in each on the right day and time.
What should I do if I miss a dose?
Take it as soon as you remember and call
your doctor. If it is time for the next dose, do not take a
double dose.
Are there any signs or symptoms I should
watch for?
Yes. Even though you are taking your
medicines every day, you may still develop rejection of the
kidney transplant. You need to know your body very well. If you
have any of the following, you should call your transplant
center right away:
- a drop in your urine output
- a fever above 100 degrees
- tenderness of your new kidney
- bloody urine
- flu-like feelings
- weight gain (more than 3 pounds in two
days)
The transplant center will probably ask
you to have some blood tests and maybe other tests. The
long-term success of your kidney transplant depends largely on
careful follow-up and a good working relationship between you
and your transplant team.
Am I more likely to get an infection
because I am on these drugs?
Yes. One of the side effects of these
drugs is an increased risk of infections. This is more of a
problem in the early period after a transplant or following
treatment of a rejection because the dosage of these drugs is
higher at these times. You should call the transplant center if
you have:
- a fever above 100 degrees
- drainage from your surgical scar
- burning when you pass your urine
- a cold or cough that will not go away
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