Genetic factors underlying tacrolimus intolerance after liver transplantation. Front Immunol. 2022 Sep 30;13:944442. doi: 10.3389/fimmu.2022.944442. eCollection 2022. Front Immunol. 2022. PMID: 36248867 Free PMC article.
One of the most important aspects of protecting your transplant is the medications prescribed to you. By weakening or reducing your immune system’s responses to foreign material, anti-rejection medications reduce your immune system’s ability to reject a transplanted organ. These drugs also allow you to maintain enough immunity to prevent overwhelming infection. Darnell Waun, a nurse and liver transplant recipient, talks about how to manage your transplant medications. Anti-rejection medications work in different phases of the immune response to minimize side effects and produce effective immunosuppression. Clinical immunosuppression usually occurs in three phases: induction, maintenance and anti-rejection. Learn more about each of these post-transplant immunosuppressants:
High blood pressure (hypertension) and diabetes. These can be managed with medications
Overgrowth of gum tissue between your teeth. Maintaining oral hygiene, brushing and flossing regularly can minimise this effect.
Hunger cravings and weight gain. The weight gain is sometimes difficult to get rid of. Consider healthy food choices, portion control and physical activity to manage this.
Psychiatric effects such as mood changes. Everyone has ups and downs; that is normal, but if these patterns of low moods can’t be shaken, see a healthcare professional
Diarrhoea, nausea and vomiting. Your doctor will be able to prescribe medicines to help.
Visual changes, cataracts. These changes may not be noticeable at the initial stages. Get your eyes regularly checked to monitor for any anomalies.
Muscle cramps or muscle weakness. Dehydration can sometimes cause this. Keep your fluids up, and talk to your doctor about symptoms and treatment
Stomach irritation (ulcers and/or heartburn) can be temporary and manageable with gastric acid-reducing medicines as prescribed by your doctor After an organ transplant, most patients quickly feel better. They go on to enjoy a significantly improved quality of life. But they are also likely to face big health challenges. Here are some tips for managing your health after an organ transplant. After an organ transplant, you will need to take immunosuppressant (anti-rejection) drugs. These drugs help prevent your immune system from attacking ("rejecting") the donor organ. Typically, they must be taken for the lifetime of your transplanted organ. You will take other medications to help the anti-rejection drugs do their job or control their side effects. And you may need to take medications for other health conditions. Organ rejection is a constant threat. Keeping the immune system from attacking your transplanted organ requires constant vigilance. So, it's likely that your transplant team will make adjustments to your anti-rejection drug regimen. After your transplant, it's vital that you:
It's also important to find a good pharmacist who can help you:
Although rejection is a scary word, it doesn't necessarily mean that you will lose your donor organ. Most of the time, a rejection can be reversed if your doctor detects its early signs. The symptoms of rejection -- and the medical tests used to detect rejection -- vary by the type of your organ transplant. So, it's important to familiarize yourself with the early symptoms of rejection that are specific to your transplant. If your doctor identifies a rejection, they will first try to reverse it by adjusting your medications. For example, you may need to:
During the first few months after an organ transplant, your transplant team will see you frequently to assess the function of your donor organ. Your doctor will help you develop good health habits to keep your body as healthy as possible. The transplant team also will urge you to:
After an organ transplant, you may experience short-term medication side effects such as:
These side effects may let up as your initial high dose of medication is tapered down. You also may experience other side effects such as:
If you notice any side effects, don't stop taking the drugs on your own. First, let your doctor know. They can adjust your prescriptions to minimize side effects without increasing your risk of organ rejection. In addition to the tests that you undergo at regular follow-up visits, you will need to do some self-monitoring at home. Among the things you'll need to monitor are: Weight. Weigh yourself daily at the same time, preferably in the morning. Call your doctor if you gain 2 pounds in a day or more than 5 pounds total. Temperature. Take your temperature daily. Call your doctor if your temperature is too high. Blood pressure. Check your blood pressure as recommended by your doctor. Pulse. Check your pulse daily. Call your doctor if it's higher than the normal resting heart rate of 60 to 100 beats per minute. (If you've had a heart transplant, your resting heart rate may be as high as 110 to 120 beats per minute.) Blood sugar. Monitor your blood sugar if you have high blood sugar or diabetes. Anti-rejection drugs can interact with many other medications or supplements. So check with your doctor or pharmacist about safe over-the-counter products you can take. Anti-rejection drugs increase your risk of dental problems. These include:
Brush and floss your teeth each day. Also look inside your mouth and under your tongue each day. Call your dentist if you notice any changes or problems. A healthy lifestyle is important for everyone. But it's especially important after an organ transplant. Poor lifestyle habits can increase the risk of organ rejection. Be sure to avoid unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and excessive drinking. Embrace healthy behaviors such as:
Your transplant dietitian will give you tips for following a healthy diet. These may include:
After an organ transplant, most patients are advised to start their exercise program with a low-impact activity such as walking. You can then gradually increase your workout intensity with aerobic activities such as: Resistance exercise with weights can increase strength and help prevent bone loss. Stretching exercises can increase muscle tone and flexibility. The type and amount of exercise you can do after an organ transplant will depend on your age and overall physical condition. So, it's important to follow the recommendations of your transplant team. Transplant patients face a wide range of health concerns after the transplant. It's not uncommon for these health challenges to lead to stress. Getting proper rest and exercise can help. |