Transplant Overview
The history of transplanting organs or tissue dates back to 1954, when the first successful kidney transplant was performed. Since then lungs, livers, hearts, and bone marrow have been transplanted. Living or deceased people may donate organs. There are many types of tissue and organs that can be donated and transplanted today. Medications a patient must take after a transplant are just as important as the organs or tissues that are transplanted. Medications keep the body from rejecting the transplant. The human body has a defense system, called the immune system, that will attack any type of foreign material – such as germs, organs or tissues – that are not our own. In the 1970's it was found that cyclosporine can act to suppress the human immune system. Testing with steroids and cyclosporine showed that organ or tissue rejection could be prevented. Since then, research has learned much more about how the body's immune system works to fight infections or foreign materials. Medication treatment after transplant is critical to prevent organ or tissue rejection.
Living with Transplant Medications
Get Organized:
- Keep in writing a list of the names, doses, and how you are instructed to take your medications. Carry a copy of this list with you in case you are ever in an accident and are not able to communicate.
- Keep taking medication exactly as ordered by your doctors at the same time each day.
- Take time each week to sort and set out your medications for the whole week.
- Use containers to keep medicine organized such as special pill boxes.
- Learn the signs of infection and report them to your doctor immediately.
- Notify your transplant team if you miss a dose.
- Report any side effects to your transplant team.
- Ask your transplant team before taking any new medication (over the counter, natural or herbal).
- Learn how to manage side effects, including knowing when to ask your doctor for help.
- Carry a few days of medication with you. Do not keep this medication in checked luggage, just in case luggage is lost, or you miss a plane or train. Another option is to have your medications shipped to your destination.
- If traveling outside of the United States carry a note from your doctor about the medication you are carrying.
Learning about your treatment is important so that you can make it part of your everyday life. To learn more about transplantation, please visit: www.organtransplants.org or www.transplantliving.org.
Healthy Pointers
- Eat well-balanced meals (limit processed or salt containing foods).
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Your physician may want you to have a special diet.
- Avoid infection:
- Adopt good hand washing habits.
- Avoid sick individuals.
- Do not share water bottles or glasses.
- Stay active with regular exercise.
- Keep your regular routine of work, school, and hobbies.
- Spend time with your family.
- Talk about your feelings with your transplant team or support groups.
- See your doctor regularly because other health problems may develop.
Questions? Call us at 1.888.282.5166 or email us.
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