Immunosuppressant Drugs - Ch. 69 Flashcards
The immune system can be responsible for what?
Rejection of donated organs
Immunosuppressants
Drugs that decrease or prevent an immune response, thus suppressing the immune system
What are immunosuppressants used to treat?
or prevent rejection of transplanted organs
Autoimmune diseases
What do immunosuppressants reduce?
Reduce lymphocyte cell division
-Mechanism of drug action varies
What is a pharmacologically immunocompromised state?
Reduced or little specific immune protection due to drugs
What are some immunosupressants?
!Glucocorticoids
!Cyclosporine
!Tacrolimus
sirolimus
azathioprime
mycophenolate mofetil
cyclophosphamide
basiliximab
glatiramer acetate
What are some mechanisms of actions of immunosuppressants?
Inhibit cytokine (e.g, IL-2) production/action
Block cytokine receptors on immune cells
Inhibit DNA and RNA synthesis
What are some used for immunosuppressants?
Rheumatoid arthritis
Prevention of organ rejection
Chron’s disease
What are some immunosuppressants that are cytokine production inhbitors?
Cyclosporine
Tacrolimus
Synthesis of which cytokine do Cyclosporine and Tacrolimus reduce?
Interleukin-2
Cyclosporine
Used in prevention of kidney, heart, liver and bone marrow transplant rejection
Sometimes used for other autoimmune disorders
Tacrolimus
used for organ rejection prevention in liver and kidney transplants
Used in treatment of active rheumatoid arthritis
What adverse effects are associated with Cyclosporine?
Kidney damage (nephrotoxicity)
High blood pressure (treat w/ antihypertensives)
Tremors
Hirsutism (excessive male-like hair pattern)
Why does cyclosporine have various drug interactions?
Metabolised by CYP3A4
What are some drugs that inhibit cytokine gene expression?
Glucocorticoids
e.g, Prednisone
