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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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