How many immunosuppressive drugs need to be taken and for how long?
Most people start on a combination of drugs after their transplant, one from each of the above groups e.g. cyclosporin, azathioprine and prednisolone. Over a period of time the doses of each drug and the number of drugs taken may be reduced as the risks of rejection decline. However, most people need to take at least one immunosuppressive for the rest of their lives. To get the maximum benefit from the drugs, it is vital that they are taken regularly. How are the immunosuppressive drugs monitored? Anti-rejection drug regimes need to be closely monitored. For example, blood levels of cyclosporin or tacrolimus are checked regularly. If the levels of a drug in the blood are too low the doctor may increase the dose of the drug to ensure that the kidney is protected from rejection. If the levels are too high your doctor may decrease the dose of the drug because of side effects. Kidney function, white blood cell count and adverse reactions to drugs will also be frequently checked. Can other
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