Question

One function of the immune system is to attack the foreign cells to protect the body. In organ transplants, the body recognizes that the new organ is made of foreign cells. What kind of medicine would you give a patient to increase the chances of transplant success?

Answer 1

Medicine that makes the immune system less effective.

Answer 2

In organ transplants, the body recognizes that the new organ is made of foreign cells. Immunosuppressants are given patient to increase the chances of transplant success.

As the name indicates, immunosuppressants suppress or slow down the immune response so that it does not reject the new organ. These drugs are also known as anti-rejection drugs.

Immunesuppressants are divided into 2 types:

- Induction drugs- these are used at the time of transplant.

- Maintenance drugs- these are administered later on for the long term.