Immunosuppressants and immunomodulators
Pharmacology · MBBS
Study notes
A kidney transplant recipient takes tacrolimus twice daily for life. Calcineurin inhibitors (tacrolimus, cyclosporine) block T-cell activation — preventing rejection; levels are monitored (too low = rejection, too high = nephrotoxicity, tremor, diabetes). Triple therapy (tacrolimus + mycophenolate + prednisolone) is standard; steroids taper. The bargain: a working kidney for lifelong infection vigilance and skin-cancer screening — suppression's price is eternal watchfulness.
Related topics
- General pharmacology: pharmacokinetics — absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
- General pharmacology: pharmacodynamics — receptors, dose-response, drug interactions
- General pharmacology: adverse drug reactions, pharmacovigilance
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- Autonomic drugs: adrenergic agonists and antagonists
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