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Kidney Transplantation: A Guide to the Care of Kidney Transplant Recipients pp 119–135Cite as

What Are Immunosuppressive Medications? How Do They Work? What Are Their Side Effects?

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Abstract

Effective suppression of the transplant recipient’s immune system has improved short-term outcomes in renal transplantation. The immunologic basis for graft rejection is described in Chapter 3. Although there are infrequent reports of patients requiring little or no immunosuppressive medications, most patients require life-long immunosuppression.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Peter Chung-Wen Chang MD & Donald E. Hricik MD

Authors
  1. Peter Chung-Wen Chang MD
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  2. Donald E. Hricik MD
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Correspondence to Peter Chung-Wen Chang MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Scripps Research Institute, N.Torrey Pines Rd. 10550, La Jolla, 92037, USA

    Dianne B. McKay

  2. Division of Transplantation, Sharp Memorial Hospital, Frost Street 7910, San Diego, 92123, USA

    Steven M. Steinberg

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Chang, P.CW., Hricik, D.E. (2010). What Are Immunosuppressive Medications? How Do They Work? What Are Their Side Effects?. In: McKay, D., Steinberg, S. (eds) Kidney Transplantation: A Guide to the Care of Kidney Transplant Recipients. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1690-7_9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1690-7_9

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  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1689-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1690-7

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