Use
Atovaquone will help to prevent you from contracting pneumonia after transplant. We are trying to prevent a pneumonia called pneumocystis carinii otherwise known as PCP. This drug is used as an alternative when a patient has a sulfa allergy.
Dose
Atovaquone is supplied in liquid form. The dosage supplied is 750mg/5ml. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Atovaquone is generally given once to twice a day. Because it comes in liquid format, it will need to be measured out with a spoon.
Side effects
Atovaquone most commonly causes stomach upset which may include: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
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Generic name
Azathioprine
Brand name
Imuran®
*This drug is available as generic and may look different than pictures.*
Use
Azathioprine suppresses the immune system to keep your transplanted organ from rejecting.
Dose
Azathioprine is available as 50 mg tablets. It is usually dosed from 50 mg to 200 mg once daily. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you. Doses may be decreased if you experience any side effects.
Instructions
Azathioprine should be taken with food to reduce stomach upset. Allopurinol should never be taken in conjunction with azathioprine. Please call your transplant coordinator before starting any new medications.
Side effects
Azathioprine can lower some of your blood counts. The dosage may be decreased if this occurs. Azathioprine can also cause stomach upset and/or diarrhea.
*This drug is available as generic and may look different than pictures.*
Use
Cyclosporine suppresses the immune system to keep your body from rejecting the transplanted organ.
Dose
Available in 25mg and 100mg capsules and a 100mg/ml solution. Dosage varies widely and is patient specific. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Take as directed by the transplant doctor, usually every 12 hours daily. Take at the same time each day. Do not skip doses or discontinue this medication unless instructed to do so by your transplant doctor. Take only the medications that have been approved by the transplant physician including over the counter medications and herbal products.
Side effects
Some of the side effects that may occur are high blood pressure, increased blood cholesterol and fats, increased blood sugar and decreased kidney function. Also, headache, leg cramps, seizures and swollen gums may occur. Most of the side effects can be managed.
Use
Dapsone will help to prevent you from contracting pneumonia after transplant. We are trying to prevent a pneumonia called pneumocystis carinii otherwise known as PCP. This drug is used as an alternative when a patient has a sulfa allergy.
Dose
Dapsone is supplied in a 25mg or 100mg tablet. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Dapsone is generally given once to twice a day. This will depend on the organ you were transplanted with.
Side effects
Dapsone can make your skin more sensitive. If you develop a rash, please notify your team immediately. You may need to be switched to another medication. Dapsone can also cause headache, fevers or malaise. Finally, dapsone can cause stomach upset which may include: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Generic name
Ganciclovir or Acyclovir or Valganciclovir
Brand name
Cytovene® or Zovirax® or Valcyte®
*This drug is available as generic and may look different than pictures. Valcyte is not available as generic.*
Use
Ganciclovir/acyclovir/valganciclovir will help to prevent you from contracting different types of viral infections after your transplant.
Dose
Ganciclovir is dosed on body weight for the intravenous infusion. For the oral ganciclovir, oral capsules are available in 250mg and 500mg strengths. Acyclovir is available in tablets of 400mg and 800mg strengths. It is also available for intravenous infusion. Valganciclovir is available as a 450mg capsule. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Ganciclovir intravenous infusion can be given once to twice a day. It is generally given to patients who are at higher risk for contracting a virus called cytomegalovirus (CMV). Ganciclovir oral capsules are generally given once to three times a day. Acyclovir is generally given between two to four times a day. Valganciclovir is given once to twice a day.
Side effects
Ganciclovir/acyclovir/valganciclovir can causes decreases in your white blood cell count. Your white blood cells help you fight infection, therefore your dose may vary as your doctors will monitor you. All these medications can also cause some dysfunction with your kidneys at high doses. Again, your doctor will monitor you for these side effects. Finally, ganciclovir/acyclovir/valganciclovir can cause stomach upset which may include: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Generic name
Mycophenolate mofetil (May also be called MMF)
Brand name
Cellcept®
*This drug is also available as generic and may look different than pictures.*
Use
Mycophenolate mofetil suppresses the immune system to keep your transplanted organ from rejecting.
Dose
Mycophenolate mofetil is available as 250 mg capsules and 500 mg tablets. It is usually dosed at 1000 mg twice daily but your dose may be increased or decreased based on side effects. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Take mycophenolate mofetil according to your transplant teams instructions. Generally it is dosed every 12 hours and on an empty stomach. Your transplant team may change your dosing to every 8 hours or have you take it with food to prevent stomach upset.
Side effects
Mycophenolate mofetil can cause stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation. It may also lower some of your blood counts and the dosage may be decreased based on these side effects.
Use
Mycophenolate sodium suppresses the immune system to keep your transplanted organ from rejecting in the same fashion as mycophenolate mofetil
Dose
Mycophenolate sodium is available as 180 mg tablets or 360 mg tablets. It is usually dosed at 720 mg twice daily but your dose may be increased or decreased based on side effects. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Take mycophenolate sodium according to your transplant teams instructions. Generally it is dosed every 12 hours and on an empty stomach. Your transplant team may change your dosing to every 8 hours or have you take it with food to prevent stomach upset.
Side effects
Mycophenolate sodium can cause stomach upset, diarrhea or constipation. It may also lower some of your blood counts and the dosage may be decreased based on these side effects.
*This drug is available as generic and may look different than pictures.*
Use
Nystatin and clotrimazole troches will help to prevent a white film from forming in your mouth known as thrush. Thrush can be very dangerous in a transplant patient.
Dose
Nystatin is available in a liquid form and is measured out with a spoon. Clotrimazole is available in 10mg tablets that dissolve in your mouth. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Take nystatin or clotrimazole according to your transplant teams instructions. Generally it is dosed three to four times a day depending on the organ that you were transplanted with. Both medications will need to be swallowed to complete a full cleaning of your mouth and throat.
Side effects
Nystatin and clotrimazole most commonly cause stomach upset which may include: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Pentamidine will help to prevent you from contracting pneumonia after transplant. We are trying to prevent a pneumonia called pneumocystis carinii otherwise known as PCP. This drug is used as an alternative when a patient has a sulfa allergy.
Dose
Pentamidine is supplied in a powder form, mixed with Sterile water and inhaled by the patient using a nebulizer. It is also available as an intravenous infusion. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Pentamidine is usually given 300mg inhalation once a month to prevent pneumonia. If you are treated for pneumonia with pentamidine, you will be given the intravenous form daily.
Side effects
Pentamidine can cause a coughing reaction when inhaled. This will occur for a short time and we try to prevent this by giving you albuterol to open up your lungs first. If it is given as an infusion, it can potentially cause slight renal dysfunction. Your doctor will be monitoring you for any side effects related to this medication.
Use
Prednisone suppresses the immune system to help keep your body from rejecting the transplanted organ. Prednisone is in the class of drugs known as steroids.
Dose
Available in several tablet sizes and an oral liquid. Dosage varies widely and is patient specific. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Take as directed by the transplant doctor, usually once daily after discharge from the hospital after the transplant. Take at the same time each day. Do not skip doses or discontinue this medication unless instructed to do so by your transplant doctor. Take only the medications that have been approved by the transplant physician including over the counter medications and herbal products.
Side effects
Side effects may include mood changes, increased blood levels of glucose and cholesterol/lipids. Water retention, weight gain, appearance of a moon face, acne, loss of bone calcium can also occur with prednisone (steroids). Sensitivity to the sun and increased tendency for bruising is a reported side effect.
Generic name
Sirolimus (May also be called Rapa or Rapamycin)
Brand name
Rapamune®
*This drug is not available as a generic.*
Use
Sirolimus suppresses the immune system to keep your transplanted organ from rejecting.
Dose
Sirolimus is available as 1 mg and 2 mg tablets along with an oral liquid. It is usually dosed once daily but may be dosed twice daily. A blood test is required to assess the dose needed for each patient. Dosages vary per patient based on blood test values. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Your sirolimus dose should not be taken before your blood test on clinic days. Please bring your sirolimus dose with you to take after your blood is drawn. There are many drug interactions and some food interactions with sirolimus. Please call your coordinator before starting any new medications.
Side effects
Sirolimus can cause stomach upset or diarrhea. It can also cause an increase in cholesterol levels or changes in blood counts. Sirolimus can also cause mouth ulcers or a rash. Please notify your coordinator if you experience any of these side effects.
Use
Tacrolimus suppresses the immune system to keep your body from rejecting the transplanted organ.
Dose
Available in 0.5mg, 1mg and 5mg capsules and a 1mg/ml oral liquid. Dosage varies widely and is patient specific. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Take as directed by the transplant doctor, usually every 12 hours daily. Take at the same time each day. Do not skip doses or discontinue this medication unless instructed to do so by your transplant doctor. Take only the medications that have been approved by the transplant physician including over the counter medications and herbal products.
Side effects
Some of the side effects that may occur are high blood pressure, increased blood cholesterol and fats, increased blood sugar and decreased kidney function. Also, headache, leg cramps, seizures and swollen gums may occur. Most of the side effects can be managed and lessen during the coarse of therapy.
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Generic name
Sulfamethoxazole/Trimethoprim(TMP/SMX)
Brand name
Bactrim DS®/Bactrim SS®/Septra®
*This drug is available as generic and may look different than pictures.*
Use
Bactrim will help to prevent you from contracting pneumonia after transplant. We are trying to prevent a pneumonia called pneumocystis carinii otherwise known as PCP. If you have a sulfa allergy, it is important to let your team know as there are other medications that can be used.
Dose
Bactrim is supplied in a double strength tablet of 800mg/160mg or a single strength tablet of 400mg/80mg. Your physician will decide on the appropriate dose for you.
Instructions
Bactrim is generally given daily or three times a week (Monday, Wednesday and Friday). This will vary depending on the organ you were transplanted with.
Side effects
Bactrim can make your skin more sensitive to the sun and you may develop a sunburn more easily. This can take place even in the winter months. Please wear sunscreen when you go into the sun. Very rarely patients may develop a rash when taking Bactrim. If you develop a rash, you should notify your team immediately. You may need to be switched to another medication. Finally, Bactrim can cause stomach upset which may include: nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
