We were advised that after a transplant Tim would be on some medications for the rest of his life to prevent what is called rejection of the organ. Because our bodies are so good and fighting off disease and foreign objects, someone elses organ falls under that category. We are starting to learn the medications he will be taking and what they are used for. I found this interesting so I thought you would too.. here are the meds and what they do!
1. Tacrolimus aka Prograf is a medication that lowers the bodys ability to fight an infection/disease (this is called an immunosuppression) This helps prevent rejection of a kidney, heart, or liver transplant. This weakens the bodys defense system to help your body accept the new organ as if it was your own. Right now he takes 8 pills every 12 hours. This drug is closely monitored by his team of medical staff and may increase or decrease as time goes on. This medication he will take as long as he has this organ. This medication monthly runs about 300 dollars with his insurance. Without would be about $1400.... yeah.
2. Dapsone- this medication is used to decrease inflammation and stop the growth of bacteria. This is used to treat certain immune system disorders like what Tim has, Lupus. This kind of builds back his immune system and throws it off track while the immunesuppressants are used to take away his immune system. This he takes once a day and is a common medication that costs him about 10$/monthly
3. Labetalol. He takes this medication to control his blood pressure. Because he has excess fluid in his body and the new kidney is adjusting his blood pressure can be a bit on the high side. Also because he is on some steroids that also has a tendency to make his blood pressure high. He has been taking this medication since August and is used to the hypertensive (high blood pressure) drugs. This is a typical cost $10/month drug
4.Nystatin- He takess medication 3 times a day. This is to prevent Thrush and a fungus infection in the mouth. He cannot eat or drink anything for 20 minutes after he takes this. He will only have to take this medication for a few months and then they will take him off that. With the meds that he is taking this is very common to get thrush and can be harmful for people with transplants
5. Acyclovir- No Tim does not have herpes but with people with organ transplant the typical cold sore or chickenpox can be dangerous for him so he is on. It greatly helps people with weakened immune system and can decrease the risk of a virus spreading and causing a major infection somewhere in the body.
6. Prednisone- he takes this once a day. This is also a organ ressistant drug and helps the organ from rejection. This causes some side effects like mood swings and weight gain. Tim was on a much high dose than this since August and has done okay with it. He will taper down slowly and eventually be on a very low dose but for the rest of his life.
7. Cellcept- another anti rejection/ immunosuppressant drug. He takes every 12 hours.. 1000 mg's.. which is about 4 tablets twice a day.
8. Plaquenel- is a immunosuppressant drug that throws the immune system off course. He takes this twice a day and this helps trick the immune system for his lupus. This has been very effective since he has been in remission since August when he was diagnosed.
9. Reglan- This is taken with every meal and also at bed time. This helps with his stomach. He has formed a bit of what is called gastroparesis (paralysis in his stomach) and it is very hard for him to digest his food. This helps tremendously. He has been on this since December of 2011.
10. Stool Softners.. two of them.. because of all the meds there can be an issue with constipado.
11. Tylenol with condiene- he never needs pain medication but just incase they prescribe him that.
So 11 meds.. about 30 pills a day.. and Tim gets to live with his new buddy and have a second chance at life. It is important to understand that this isnt a cure for Tim.. he will always have End stage Kidney Failure and Lupus Nephritis.. however this is a new way of handeling it. Some people choose dialysis.. others who are fortunate can obtain a transplant. There are 800,000 people in need of a new kidney and only about 10,000 a year obtain one from a living or recently deceased donor. If you or someone you know would like to be a living Donor go to Donatelife.org and make sure when you renue your license you put donor.. You dont always have to donate life while you are alive.. you can help someone in need when your time is done here on Earth!
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