Medicines After a Kidney Transplant

It is a treatment procedure for end-stage renal disease or in conditions when the kidneys fail to work. It is the replacement of a damaged or defective kidney with a healthy kidney from a donor.

What is the Role of an Immunosuppressant for a Kidney Transplant?

The immune system reacts to the transplant or graft as a foreign element and becomes activated to form antibodies against it, leading to organ failure. The immunosuppressants suppress the immune system and prevent organ rejection.

Working of Anti-Rejection Medicines

They suppress the immune system and do not attack the transplanted organ. These medicines are used in combination to maintain a balance between organ protection and immune suppression.

The immune system should not be over–suppressed, so that it increases the risk of various infections, and also it should not be expressed enough to fail the graft system.

They Are Given in 3 Phases –

• • Induction Therapy – This is an intensive therapy; the high dose of anti-rejection medicine is given intravenously before the transplant and also after the transplant once or twice a day.
• • Maintenance Therapy – This is the long-term therapy in which the transplant medicines are given after the surgery to prevent organ rejection and offer long-term protection.
• • Rejection Treatment – It is the treatment given during the time of a rejection episode. This is a short-duration course given only for that period to offer immediate protection for the graft.

The Commonly Used Anti-Rejection Medicines for Maintenance Therapy –

Myfocept (Mycophenolate Mofetil) – it inhibits the proliferation of T and B lymphocytes, a component of white blood cells that is responsible for the immune response. It significantly suppresses the immune system, preventing organ rejection or transplant failure.

• • Uses: It is used as prophylactic treatment for organ transplantation.
  Post-transplant treatment for liver, kidney, and heart transplants.
  Autoimmune diseases like psoriatic arthritis.
• • Its available strengths: Myfocept 250 mg and Myfocept 500 mg.

Xgraf (Tacrolimus) – It blocks the enzyme, which is essential for T-cell activation. Inhibiting the enzyme suppresses the T lymphocytes and T-cell-mediated immune activity.

• • Uses: it’s used for organ rejection in kidney transplant, liver transplant, and heart transplant.
  Atopic dermatitis (Eczema).
• • It is present in 3 strengths: Xgraf-0.5, Xgraf 1, and Xgraf-2.

Myfocept-S (Mycophenolate Sodium) – It is an enteric-coated tablet that offers fewer GIT side effects. It works by blocking the enzyme, essential for the multiplication of T and B lymphocytes, responsible for the immune response.

• • Available strengths: Myfocept S-360mg, Myfocept S-180mg.

Cyclosporine – Cyclosporine is a strong immunosuppressant; it targets T cells and inhibits the immune attack against the foreign organ. It is widely used in post-transplant care as induction therapy as well as in maintenance therapy. Also used in autoimmune skin diseases like psoriasis, eye inflammation, and certain blood disorders.

Prednisone – It is a steroid, used to suppress the immune system in various pathological conditions like endocrine disorders, skin, and inflammatory disorders. It is also used to prevent rejection during an organ transplant.

Sirolimus – It is used to prevent kidney graft rejection by inhibiting T-cell proliferation. It prevents chronic rejection, offering long-term graft protection. It is used in lower doses and offers fewer side effects.

Side Effects of Immune Therapy in Post-transplant Care

Long-term use of immunosuppressants causes –

• • Increased risk of infection
• • High blood pressure
• • Type-2 diabetes risk
• • Skin problems
• • Demineralization of bones
• • Weakness
• • Gastrointestinal upset

Aprazer Healthcare – Innovation that extends beyond drug development

Aprazer Healthcare is the top nephrology drug manufacturer, known worldwide for innovative treatments.

• • World-class manufacturing infrastructure – WHO-GMP, EU-GMP certified manufacturing facilities.
• • Exporting premium-quality organ transplant medicines worldwide, Aprazer Healthcare is making advanced treatment accessible for everyone.
• • It is the largest exporter of Nephrology medicines globally.