Medications

Your child must take a combination of immunosuppressive medications for his lifetime.  Like all drugs, these have side effects.  We will monitor your child’s medications to achieve the best therapeutic effect with the least amount of unwanted side effects.  Because these medications require a close watch on drug levels and blood counts, we will require frequent blood-drawing, at least initially.

Medications to prevent rejection

Tacrolimus, Pro-Graf, FK 506
Indication: Suppresses the immune system
Side Effects: tremors, headaches, nausea, diarrhea, high blood pressure, changes in renal function.
Other: Requires blood draws to monitor drug level.

Cell Cept, Mycophenolate mofetil (MMF)
Indication: Suppresses the immune system
Side Effects: diarrhea, low white blood cell count

Imuran, Azathioprine
Indication: Suppresses the immune system
Side Effects: stomach upset, low white blood cell count, low platelet count

Prednisone
Indication: Suppresses the immune system
Side Effects: weight gain, increased blood sugar, increased sensitivity to the sun, mood swings, stomach upset

Diltiazem
Indication: High blood
Side Effects: low blood pressure, dizziness

Zenapax, Daclizumab
Indication: Suppresses the immune system
Side Effects: GI upset, edema, tremor, headache
Other: IV infusion

Simulect, Basiliximab
Indication: Suppresses the immune system
Side Effects: GI upset, edema, tremor, headache
Other: IV infusion

Bactrim, Trimethoprim & Sulfamethoxazole
Indication: Treatment to prevent Pneumocystic carinii pneumonia (PCP)
Side Effects: GI upset, rash
OtherL Treatment for 6-12 months after transplantation

Valcyte, Valganciclovir
Indication: Treatment to prevent CMV infection
Side Effects: GI upset, headache, anemia
Other: Treatment for 6-12 months after transplantation