What is Immunosuppression

Immunosuppression uses medicines to lower your immune response. Your immune response is your body’s natural way of defending itself against something new or unknown that enters your body, such as bacteria or a virus.

Why am I receiving immunosuppression?

You may be receiving immunosuppression:

• To treat an autoimmune disorder. Autoimmune disorders cause your immune response to attack your body.
• To keep your body from rejecting a transplant of cells, tissues, or organs that you received from a donor. When you receive a transplant, your body knows that there is something new and unknown in your body. Sometimes this triggers the immune response to attack the transplant.
• To prevent inflammation that is caused by a long-term (chronic) condition, such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Certain types of chronic conditions are related to severe immune responses. These responses can cause inflammation that can lead to life-threatening situations.

What are the side effects of immunosuppression?

The main side effect of immunosuppression is a higher risk of infection. Because immunosuppression lowers your body’s ability to defend itself, you should call your health care provider if you have any symptoms of infection, such as:

• A fever.
• Fluid or a bad smell coming from a surgical scar.
• A burning feeling when you pass urine.
• A cold or cough that will not go away.
• Body aches.

Other side effects of immunosuppression include:

• Nausea and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Increased hair growth.
• Shaky hands (hand tremor).

These side effects typically go away as your body gets used to the medicine. They may also go away or get better if your health care provider changes your dosage.

Why is it important for me to take my medicine exactly as instructed?

For immunosuppression to work, your body needs to have just the right amount of medicine all the time. Your health care provider will tell you exactly how much medicine to take and exactly when you need to take it.

It is very important to follow instructions from your health care provider. Missing even a single dose can cause your condition to get worse. If you forget to take your medicine, take it as soon as you remember and call your health care provider right away. But, if you forget to take your medicine and it is time to take it again, do not take two doses.

What are some tips for remembering to take my medicine?

Here are some tips to remind you to take your medicine:

• Organize your daily medicines using one of these tools:
  • Pill organizer.
  • Written chart from your health care provider.
  • Notebook.
  • Binder.
  • Your own calendar.
• Use your tool to help you keep track of the:
  • Name of the medicine and the dosage.
  • Days to take the medicine(s).
  • Time of day to take the medicine(s).
• Set cues or reminders for taking your medicine(s), such as using a clock or cell phone alarm.
• Review your medicine schedule with family members or friends. They can help remind you when to take your medicine(s) and how much to take.