Medicines Guide
After Transplant taking the provided medication
is esenual to every recipient – here is a list of medication, which I take
– also a brief out line of what each medicine does and the side effects some
medicines May Cause.
1.
Azathioprine- (Anti- rejection)
Azathioprine
is an immunosupressant drug used to prevent the bodies own immune system from
rejecting the transplanted organ.
Common Side Effects
1.
Nausea/Vomiting.
2.
Loss of Appetite.
3.
Hair loss.
Cyclosporin-
(Anti-rejection
Cyclosporin
is a major transplant drug and again is an immunosupressant – The drug was
introduced in 1984 and is used to neutralise the body’s own defence system
against infections and foreign cells.
As
the recipients immune system is affected it can take longer to fight off
common infections such as the common cold.
Common
side effects.
1.
Increased Body
Hair
2.
Nausea
3.
Tremors
4.
Swelling Of Gums.
5.
Mood Swings (rare)
6.
Kidney and liver
damage
Regular liver
and kidney blood tests are taken to monitor the Cyclosporin in the blood!
Prednisolone
–(Steriod- Anti rejection)
Prednisolone
is a powerful corticosteriod and is used for a wide range of conditions such
as rheumatic disorders, blood disorders and is also used as an anti rejection
drug in transplant recipients.
Common Side
Effects.
1.
Indigestion
2.
Acne
3.
Weight Gain
4.
Muscle Weakness
5.
Mood Changes/Depression
6.Fluid
Retention (Swollen ankles or Feet)
7. Anxiety,
nervousness.
Nifedipine
Nifedipine
belongs to a group of drugs known as calcium channel blockers, which interfere
Common Side
Effects.
1.
Headache
2.
Dizziness/Fatigue
3.
Flushing
4.
Ankle Swelling
5.
Frequency in passing Urine
Frusemide
Frusemide is a
powerful, short acting loop diuretics, It is used to treat oedema (Fluid
Retention) caused by heart failure, and certain lung and kidney disorders.
Frusemide is particularly useful for persons who have impaired
kidney function.
Common Side Effects.
1.
Potassium loss.
2.
Dizziness/ Nausea
3.Noise
in ears
4.
Muscle cramps
Amiodarone.
Amiodarone
was introduced in the 1950’s and is used to treat a variety of abnormal
heart rhythms (Arrhythmias. It works by slowing nerve impulses in the heart
muscle.
Amiodarone
is given to prevent recurrent atrial and ventricular fibrillation and to treat
Tachycardias.
Common Side
Effects.
1.
Nausea/Vomiting
2.
Metallic taste in mouth
3.
Shortness of breath
4.
Headache
5.
Weakness and fatigue.
Lisinopril
Lisinopril is
known as an ace inhibitor and is used to widen vessels and arteries within the
heart, it is also an affective drug used to control blood pressure and may
decrease the risk of kidney problems in diabetics.
Common Side Effects
1.
Impaired
white blood cell count
2.
Bone Marrow depression
3. Liver
damage (Rare)
It is important to
understand that every transplant recipient is different and individual drugs
effect persons in different ways. This is a guide in medical terms to each of
the drugs I take though I have only experienced a small number of the listed
side effects!
Andrew Wilson