Immunosuppressants

Definition

Immunosuppressants are medications or substances that reduce the strength of the body's immune system, often used to prevent organ rejection after transplants or to treat autoimmune diseases.

Scientific / Technical Definition

Immunosuppressants are a class of drugs that inhibit or prevent activity of the immune system. These agents can target specific pathways of the immune response to modify or weaken immune cell function, often used in clinical settings like organ transplantation, where dampening the immune response is necessary to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ, or in managing autoimmune disorders where the immune system inappropriately attacks the body's own cells.

Benefits

• Prevent organ rejection in transplant patients.
• Manage autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
• Control severe allergic reactions and inflammation.

Examples

• Cyclosporine
• Tacrolimus
• Azathioprine
• Mycophenolate mofetil

Additional Information

• sideEffects: Potential side effects include increased risk of infections, high blood pressure, and liver or kidney damage.

Related Terms

• Autoimmune Diseases
• Organ Transplantation

References

• Immunosuppressant Drugs - Mayo Clinic
• Understanding Immunosuppressants - Cleveland Clinic