Immunosuppressive

Immunosuppressive refers to the reduction of the activation or efficacy of the immune system. Certain medications, known as Immunosuppressive drugs, are used to achieve this effect, particularly in cases of organ transplantation or autoimmune diseases.

Overview

Immunosuppressive drugs 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 immunosuppressive drugs are often used to treat autoimmune diseases like lupus, psoriasis, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Mechanism of Action

Immunosuppressive drugs work by blocking the immune response that causes the body to reject a transplanted organ or attack its own cells in autoimmune diseases. They do this by inhibiting the proliferation of immune cells, or by blocking the chemicals these cells use to communicate.

Types of Immunosuppressive Drugs

There are several types of immunosuppressive drugs, including:

• Corticosteroids
• Calcineurin inhibitors
• mTOR inhibitors
• Antiproliferative agents
• Biologics

Side Effects

Like all medications, immunosuppressive drugs can cause side effects. These can include:

• Increased susceptibility to infections
• Increased risk of certain types of cancer
• Bone marrow suppression
• Liver and kidney damage

See Also

• Immunosuppression
• Immunosuppressive therapy
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• Autoimmune diseases
• Organ transplantation

References

Immunosuppressive Resources
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