Sandimmun Injection

Description

Sandimmun Injection is used to prevent your body from rejecting a new organ after a liver, kidney, or heart transplant. It works by weakening your immune system so that your body does not attack the new organ. The amount of Sandimmun Injection you take depends on your weight, medical condition, and what you are taking it for. Your doctor will work out the correct dose for you. It is given as an injection under the supervision of a doctor. Keep taking these medicine for as long as you have been told to, even if you feel well. Stopping treatment may increase the risk of your transplanted organ being rejected. The most common side effects of this medicine include headache, nausea, unusual growth of facial or body hair, high blood pressure, diarrhea, and shaking or tremors. Because it suppresses your immune system, you may catch more infections than usual. You should avoid contact with people who might pass on infections such as measles, chickenpox or flu, and do not have a “live” vaccination. Tell your doctor straight away if you develop an infection. For the same reason, you may be more at risk of developing some cancers, particularly of the skin. You should limit your exposure to sunlight. Before taking this medicine you should tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney problems, high blood pressure, gout (increased uric acid levels in the blood), or epilepsy. Also, tell your doctor about all other medicines you are taking as it may affect the working of this medicine. This medicine should only be used in pregnancy if it is clearly needed and is not recommended while breastfeeding. You will have frequent medical tests while taking this medicine to check your blood pressure, liver and kidney function and mineral levels. This may lead to changes in your dose.

Introduction

In Prevention of organ rejection in transplant patients Sandimmun Injection belongs to a group of medicines known as immunosuppressive agents. It lowers your immune response and reduces the chance of your body attacking the transplanted organ. Organ rejection happens when your immune system treats the new organ as an invader and attacks it. This medicine suppresses the immune system and help your body accept the new organ as if it were your own.

Benefits

Sandimmun Injection is an immunosuppressant. It works by suppressing your body’s immune response following transplant of an organ (e.g., liver, kidney, heart). This helps your body to accept the new organ as if it were your own.

How to use

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

Safety Advice

- Alcohol : SAFE - Consuming alcohol with Sandimmun Injection does not cause any harmful side effects. - Pregnancy : CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR - Sandimmun Injection may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor. - Breast feeding : UNSAFE - Sandimmun Injection is unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Data suggests that the drug may cause toxicity to the baby. - Driving : CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR - It is not known whether Sandimmun Injection alters the ability to drive. Do not drive if you experience any symptoms that affect your ability to concentrate and react. - Kidney : CAUTION - Sandimmun Injection should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Sandimmun Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine. - Liver : CAUTION - Sandimmun Injection should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Sandimmun Injection may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Regular monitoring of kidney function test is advised while you are taking this medicine.