The ABCs of Immunosuppression: A Primer for Primary Care Physicians

Abstract

Immunosuppression use for prevention of allograft recognition/rejection has evolved to reflect an expanded understanding of the immune system, as well as a fine tuning of the goals of therapy. Immunosuppression in organ transplantation represents a balance between the desire to improve the health status of an individual affected by chronic conditions versus not imposing an unintended immunodeficiency leading to iatrogenic morbidity/mortality. This article discusses the selection and general dosing of immunosuppression in organ allograft recipients to allow providers to be comfortable in monitoring immunosuppressive therapy long term and the associated, expected posttransplant complications in allograft recipients.

Keywords: Immunosuppression; Medication interactions; Primary care; Transplant.