Glossary of
Commonly Used Transplant Medications
Transplant recipients must take anti-rejection medications for the rest of
their lives. Each person's body is unique, so the transplant team will
prescribe medications and dosages especially for each person. Usually several anti-rejection medications are prescribed at first. The dosages probably will be
changed frequently over time. The anti-rejection medications suppress your
immune system, making you more susceptible to infection. The transplant team
works to maintain a balance between preventing rejection and avoiding infection.
Regular visits to the lab will help the transplant team measure the levels of
medications to ensure you are receiving the proper amount of each medication.
What are some commonly prescribed transplant medications?
The following medications are most commonly prescribed by the transplant
team. Never discontinue or change the dosage of any medication unless you
are told to do so by the transplant team.
- mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) - an immunosuppressive
medication commonly used in combination with other
medications to prevent rejection and to treat episodes of rejection. Common side
effects include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, low white blood cell count, and an
increased risk of infection. This medication should be taken on an empty
stomach, preferably at least one hour before meals or two hours afterwards. Do
not crush or open capsules. Sometimes known by the trade name Cellcept.
- cyclosporine - an immunosuppressive medication used to prevent rejection. Common side effects
include hypertension, increased hair growth on the face or body, shakiness, and
swollen gums. This medication must be taken every 12 hours, at the same
times each day. Sometimes known by the trade names Neoral or Sandimmune.
- prednisone - a
corticosteroid medication commonly used in combination with other medications to
prevent rejection. Common side effects are increased appetite, increased blood
sugar, increased sweating (especially at night), sodium retention, acne, slow
skin healing, and intestinal distress. Prednisone dosages usually are reduced to
a maintenance level by the end of the first year after transplantation. As the
dose is reduced, side effects will become less troublesome. Never stop
taking this medication suddenly. Prednisone must be tapered slowly to give your
adrenal gland a chance to begin making its own steroids.
- tacrolimus - an immunosuppressant used to prevent rejection. Common side effects
include headache, shakiness, diarrhea, upset stomach, sleep disturbances,
decreased appetite, and an increase in blood sugars. This medication must be taken every 12 hours, at the same times each day. This medication should be taken on an empty stomach, preferably at least
one hour before meals or two hours afterwards. Sometimes known by the trade name
Prograf.
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