After transplant, few medicines have to be taken for life, as the donated kidney has to be protected from rejection.
Make yourself responsible for taking all the medications that have been prescribed by the treating doctor. Always speak with your treating doctor to understand fully:
- Name and purpose of each medication prescribed.
- When to take each medication.
- How to take each medication.
- For how long you need to continue taking each medication.
- Principle side effects of each medication.
- What needs to be done in case you forget to take medication dose.
- When to order more medication so it doesn’t run out.
- What to avoid while taking medications.
Most of the medicines that you began taking in the hospital are supposed to be continued at home after the transplant surgery.
Important transplant medicines (Immunosuppressant):
- Tacrolimus/ Cyclosporine
- Mycophenolate Mofetil / Azathioprine
- Wysolone
- Everolimus
Alert
- Take your medication every day, at the same time and prescribed dose.
- Never try to stop taking medication or change the dosage yourself without treating doctor’s approval.
- Always keep 15 days to 1 month stock of medicines with you plan and make sure you never run out of your medicines.
- Have it on an empty stomach in the morning, at least 1 hour before or after the meal and especially at the same time every day.
- Swallow the tablet or capsule as a whole with liquid (preferably water) and never break, crush, chew, or divide it.
- Do not drink alcohol with the tablet.
- Do not stop medicine even if instructed for NPO (Nil per Oral) for diagnostic procedures without informing to your Transplant Doctor.
- These immunosuppressant (Transplant Drugs) are for life long. So always keep stock of medicine for extra 15 days.
- Don’t skip medications (Even if you are feeling better, even a single missed dose can lead to REJECTION).
- Take Prednisolone and Azathioprine after taking meals.
- Tacrolimus/Cyclosporin doses should be apart at least 12 hours.
- Paracetamol (Crocin) can be taken for body aches and doctor should be consulted as soon as possible. Anti inflammatory drugs like Diclofenac, Nimesulide or Brufen are not usually recommended as they tend to cause gastric upset and affect kidney function.
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