Immunosupressant , immunologyu nursing care

Immunology

1. IMMUNOSUPPRESSANTS your immune system is an infection-fighting machine that targets intruders like viruses , bacteria and cancerous cells. But sometimes, your immune system attacks healthy cells and tissues by mistake. Immunosuppressants can slow or stop this response. But immunosuppressants also weaken your immune system, increasing your risk of viral , bacterial and fungal infections .

2. Indication Immunosuppressant to treat autoimmune diseases . You may need immunosuppressants if you have one of these autoimmune diseases : Alopecia areata . Inflammatory bowel disease , including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis . Lupus . Multiple sclerosis (MS). Psoriasis or psoriatic arthritis . Rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

3. Indication… People who have organ transplants or stem cell transplants (bone marrow transplants) receive immunosuppressant so their immune systems don’t attack the transplanted organ or stem cells . Blood cancers , like leukemia , lymphoma and multiple myeloma . Blood disorders , like sickle cell disease and thalassemia . Bone marrow issues, like aplastic anemia .

4. Indication… Organ transplants If you need an organ transplant, immunosuppressants reduce the risk that your body will reject the transplanted organ. Organ rejection happens because your immune system knows the transplanted organ is new to your body and will treat it like an intruder that should be destroyed. Immunosuppressants protect newly transplanted organs by keeping your immune system’s response managed.

5. Immunosuppressants What are the most common immunosuppressants? Corticosteroids , such as prednisone, are among the most common immunosuppressants that healthcare providers prescribe. But there are many types of immunosuppressants. Biologics , like adalimumab ( Humira ®) and infliximab ( Remicade ®). Biologics are lab-made drugs that reduce your immune system’s response to intruders . Calcineurin inhibitors , like tacrolimus ( Envarsus XR® or Protopic ®) and cyclosporine ( Gengraf ®, Neoral ® or Sandimmune ®). Calcineurin inhibitors work by blocking an enzyme that stimulates T-cells. T-cells are white blood cells that fight infection.

6. Immunosuppressants… Mechanistic target of rapamycin ( mTOR ) inhibitors ,such as sirolimus ( Rapamune ®). mTOR inhibitors keep cells from growing and multiplying . Monoclonal antibodies , like basiliximab ( Simulect ®), that stimulate your immune system to prevent organ transplant rejection.

7. Risk of taking Immunosuppressant That increases your risk of infections that may be life-threatening, such as : Blood infections, like MRSA ( Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus ( MRSA ) and sepsis . Fungal infections, like thrush and skin fungus . Skin infections, like cellulitis . Respiratory infections, including colds , flu and pneumonia .