Anti-infective and
anti-ulcer medications
Drugs that protect your new organ may increase your risk for infection. Some may also cause stomach problems or other side effects. As such, your doctor may intend for you to take the following:
Bactrim® and Septra® (both trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole)
Bactrim and Septra are antibiotics that prevent and treat pneumonia and other infections. You may be at greater risk for infection because your immune system has been slowed down by immunosuppressant medications.
Cytovene® (ganciclovir)
Cytovene may prevent potentially life-threatening cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in organ transplant recipients. This medicine has been shown to interact with anti-rejection medicines, so ask your doctor about any precautions you must take.
Zovirax® (acyclovir)
Zovirax is an antiviral drug that may be used as a preventive treatment for herpes simplex infections in transplant recipients. This medicine has been shown to interact with anti-rejection medicines, so ask your doctor about any precautions you must take.
Mycostatin® (nystatin)
Mycostatin is used in the prevention of thrush, an oral fungal infection.
Lotrimin® (clotrimazole), Lotrisone® (clotrimazole/betamethasone), Mycelex® (clotrimazole), Diflucan® (fluconazole), and Nizoral® (ketoconazole)
These drugs are used to treat fungal infections in transplant recipients. These medications have been shown to interact with anti-rejection medications, so ask your doctor about any precautions you must take.
Tagamet® (cimetidine), Zantac® (ranitidine), Pepcid® (famotidine), Nexium® (esomeprazole), Prilosec (omeprazole), and Prevacid (lansoprazole)
These medications protect your digestive system from the effects of steroids. They also have been shown to interact with anti-rejection medications, so ask your doctor about any precautions you must take.
Valcyte™ (valganciclovir)
Valcyte is an anti-viral drug that may be used for the prevention of CMV disease in high-risk kidney, heart, and kidney-pancreas transplant patients. It is not approved for use in liver transplant patients. This medication has been shown to interact with anti-rejection medications, so ask your doctor about any precautions you must take.
