Immunosuppressants

Immunosuppressants are a class of drugs that suppress, or reduce, the strength of the body's immune system. Some of these drugs are used to make the body less likely to reject a transplanted organ, such as a liver, heart, or kidney. These drugs are called anti-rejection drugs. Other immunosuppressant drugs are often used to treat autoimmune diseases like lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Types of Immunosuppressants

There are several types of immunosuppressants, including:

• Corticosteroids - These are often used as part of the treatment for diseases such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.
• Calcineurin inhibitors - These are often used to prevent rejection in organ transplantation.
• mTOR inhibitors - These are used to prevent rejection, particularly in kidney transplantation.
• Antiproliferative agents - These are used to treat autoimmune diseases and to prevent rejection.

Side Effects

Immunosuppressants can cause a variety of side effects, including:

• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Increased risk of certain types of cancer
• Nausea and vomiting
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Bone thinning (osteoporosis)
• Diabetes

See Also

• Autoimmune diseases
• Organ transplantation
• Corticosteroids
• Calcineurin inhibitors
• mTOR inhibitors
• Antiproliferative agents

Immunosuppressants Resources
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