Mayo Clinic researchers study medications and treatments for people with lung transplants, including new medications (immunosuppressive medications) to keep your body from rejecting your lung transplant.
You'll need to take immunosuppressive medications after your lung transplant. These medications may cause serious side effects, and may cause you to be more susceptible to infections. Your treatment team will explain your medications and potential side effects. Your doctors will help you manage your immunosuppressive medications, based on your side effects and any signs of rejection.
In the past, people with lung transplants usually have taken corticosteroids (such as prednisone) as one of their immunosuppressive medications to prevent rejection for life. However, corticosteroids may cause weight gain, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and other side effects and complications. You may be able to reduce or stop taking corticosteroids soon after your lung transplant, which may lessen your side effects and complications. You'll still need to take other immunosuppressive medications.
Other immunosuppressive medication options that have recently been used for people with lung transplants include basiliximab (Simulect), daclizumab (Zenapax), mycophenolate mofetil (CellCept) and azathioprine (Imuran). Researchers continue to study the potential use of other immunosuppressive medications for people with lung transplants.
Mayo Clinic transplant staff can answer your questions about the transplant process and post-transplant life.
Read about transplant clinical trials underway at Mayo Clinic Transplant Center.
Mayo Clinic researchers study new surgical procedures, develop new anti-rejection and other medications, and put into practice ways to improve care during and after transplant.
Find Mayo Clinic on