Immunosuppressants

Autoimmune diseases and overreactions of the immune system are usually advised by a doctor Immunosuppressants prescribed. But these drugs are also used for therapy in allergic asthma and rejection after an organ transplant.

What are immunosuppressants?

The human body's immune system is constantly on alert and fights intruders such as bacteria, viruses or other foreign substances. In this way, the body fends off diseases and protects the organism from damage.

As Immunosuppressants are drugs that weaken or completely suppress the reactions of the immune system. Immunosuppression is defined as the unphysiological suppression of an immune reaction through an external intervention. The administration of such drugs is prescribed by doctors after certain interventions and for special illnesses.

Application, effect & use

Most of all, the doctor will give the patient an organ transplant Immunosuppressant administer. The immune system sees an implanted organ as a dangerous foreign body that needs to be removed. What should and can prevent a disease in normal cases leads to the rejection of the new organ after an organ transplant. This is why immunosuppressants are used to prevent such rejection reactions. A transplant patient must take these drugs for life to prevent adverse immune system reactions.

Immunosuppressants are also used for so-called autoimmune diseases. These diseases are caused by violent activities of the immune system, which are directed against one's own cells and organs. The exact reasons for such diseases are not yet known exactly. Presumably, however, they are triggered by genetic dispositions in combination with external influences.

Examples of a disease-causing immune system are inflammatory bowel diseases, psoriasis, rheumatic diseases or multiple sclerosis. Immunosuppressants are often used for all of these diseases. They dampen or prevent the excessive reactions of the immune system and can thus help to alleviate and alleviate the symptoms of the disease.

Herbal, Natural & Pharmaceutical Immunosuppressants

Both Immunosuppressants there are different groups that differ in their effect. The calcineurin inhibitors prevent signals from being passed on by special immune defense cells.

Without these signals, the immune system is not even stimulated to act. The so-called T cells are therefore not activated and do not even attack newly implanted organs, for example. The cell division inhibitors, however, have the effect that the growth of the immune cells is inhibited and curtailed.

Also, messenger substances that stimulate the system to generate new immune cells are suppressed. The points of attack of the drugs are therefore quite different. However, it is characteristic of both types of medication that they must be taken very precisely, according to a detailed plan and as directed by a doctor.

Cortisone is most often given after a transplant. It has only general and no specific effects on the immune system. The cortisone inhibits the development of phagocytes, which normally destroy bacteria and foreign bodies. Even when there are acute rejection of a new organ, cortisone is increasingly used to prevent rejection.

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Risks & side effects

Like all drugs, they have Immunosuppressants Not only does it have the intended effect, but there are also numerous undesirable side effects. In general, taking the drugs makes the body much more susceptible to infections. The reason for this is obvious. If the immune system is made to ignore foreign organs and substances or to only work at half speed, then it also overlooks bacteria and viruses. When the entire system is dampened, pathogens can spread unhindered.

The risk of developing tumors is increased. Cells in the body that are detected and destroyed by the immune system are constantly changing. The immunosuppressants inhibit this healthy reaction of the body police. The entire metabolism and circulation can also be influenced. High blood pressure, diabetes and high cholesterol levels can develop.

The entire digestive tract can be affected by the immunosuppressants. Diarrhea, vomiting, and nausea can occur. But with all problems, the patient must strictly follow the doctor's instructions. Consultation with the doctor is essential if side effects occur. Under no circumstances should the drug simply be discontinued. In most cases, it is possible to choose a different drug or to use other drugs to counter or alleviate the side effects.