For your child's body to accept a new kidney, the Pediatric Kidney Transplant Program team at Cincinnati Children's will prescribe a combination of immunosuppressant medications. Show
THESE WILL BE TAKEN EVERY DAY FOR AS LONG AS YOUR CHILD HAS A WORKING KIDNEY TRANSPLANT. TAKING THESE MEDICATIONS AS DIRECTED IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP YOU CAN TAKE TO PREVENT REJECTION. Because these immunosuppressant medications have serious side effects, your doctor will adjust the dosages to protect against rejection without undue risk of complications. The most commonly used immunosuppressants include:
Your child will probably take a combination of three of these drugs. Prednisone, PrednisolonePrednisone is a steroid medication given to prevent and treat rejection after transplant. It will be given in higher doses for the first few months and is tapered to a smaller maintenance dose thereafter. How Prednisone Is SuppliedPrednisone is available in liquid as Prelone (15 mg/5 ml) or in 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg, or 50 mg tablets. The tablets can be cut in half if necessary. Special Instructions
Possible Side EffectsMost side effects of prednisone are dose-related and may decrease or subside as the dose is reduced:
Tacrolimus (Prograf)Prograf is a drug that suppresses the immune system and is used to prevent rejection. It is taken every day in the morning and at night. How Prograf Is SuppliedPrograf is available as liquid or in 0.5 mg, 1 mg, and 5 mg capsules. Special Instructions
Possible Side EffectsMost side effects are dose-related and may decrease or subside as the dose is adjusted:
Cyclosporine (Neoral)Neoral is a drug that suppresses the immune system and is used to prevent rejection after transplant. It will be taken every day in the morning and at night. How Neoral Is SuppliedNeoral is available in liquid form or in 25 mg and 100 mg capsules. Special Instructions
Possible Side EffectsMost side effects are dose-related and may decrease or subside as the dose is adjusted:
Mycophenolate Mofetil (CellCept)CellCept is given along with other immunosuppressant medications to prevent rejection after transplant. It will be taken every day in the morning and at night. How CellCept Is SuppliedCellCept is available in liquid or in 250 mg capsules or 500 mg tablets. Special Instructions
Possible Side Effects
Imuran (Azathioprine)Imuran is a medication given to prevent rejection and taken once a day. It is an "older relative" of CellCept and sometimes used in its place. How Imuran Is SuppliedImuran comes as a 50 mg tablet that can be broken up. Some pharmacies, including the outpatient pharmacy at Cincinnati Children's, can also prepare a liquid version of Imuran for patients who have trouble taking the tablet. Possible Side EffectsMost side effects of Imuran are not noticed by patients taking this medication but are instead picked up during routine blood tests during clinic visits:
Rapamune (Rapamycin, Sirolimus)Rapamycin is a rather new medicine used to prevent rejection. Small children usually need to take rapamycin twice a day, while older patients just need one dose a day. How Rapamycin Is SuppliedRapamune comes in 1 mg and 2 mg tablets or as solution containing 1 mg/1 ml. Special Instructions
Possible Side EffectsRapamycin can cause several side effects, and regular monitoring during clinic visits, including measurements of rapamycin blood levels, is required. Some of the side effects may require treatment, for example, adding medicines to lower cholesterol or blood pressure.
Rapamune delays wound healing. If your child is having surgery or dental work, call as soon as it is scheduled to taper Rapamune and resume Prograf. After your child has healed from surgery, he will be converted back to Rapamune. Which drugs are after administered before and after an organ transplant procedure?After your transplant surgery you will be prescribed medications that may include: Tacrolimus (Prograf) or cyclosporine (Neoral, Gengraf) Prednisone. Mycophenolate (CellCept, Myfortic) or azathioprine (Imuran)
Which type of drug is used in organ transplants?The most commonly used immuno-suppressants are currently tacrolimus, cyclosporin, azathioprine, mycophenolate and prednisolone (a steroid). Every transplant unit uses these drugs slightly differently.
Which two medicines should the doctor administer before the surgery to prevent the body from reacting to the newly implanted organ?Tacrolimus or Cyclosporine
You will take either tacrolimus or cyclosporine, but will never take both at the same time. Each drug is taken twice a day – 12 hours apart.
What drugs are used after liver transplant?After the Transplant. Medications.. Anti-Rejection (Immunosuppressive) Medications.. Neoral ® (cyclosporine) This medication is given to prevent rejection of the transplanted liver. ... . Prograf ® (tacrolimus; FK 506). Prednisone.. Solu-Medrol ® (methylprednisolone). CellCept ®(mycophenolate mofetil; MMF). |