Commonly Used Immunosuppressant Agents in Post-Transplantation: Drug Class, Mechanisms of Action, Adverse Effects, and Toxicities

Abstract

Transplantation stands out as one of the most remarkable discoveries in medicine, offering patients with organ failure a second chance at life. This procedure involves replacing a failing organ or tissue with a healthy one, requiring immunosuppressant drugs to prevent graft rejection and ensure transplant viability. Immunosuppressants are a class of medications used to suppress the immune response. These medications work by targeting specific immune pathways to inhibit the proliferation of immune cells through targeted receptor interactions, thereby reducing the risk of graft rejection. However, these immunosuppressants may lead to undesirable side effects and toxicity, underscoring the need for further clinical trials to improve the long-term quality of life for transplant recipients. In this review, we will discuss the various classes of immunosuppressants, their mechanisms of action, therapeutic outcomes, and associated side effects.

Cite this article as: Abed R, Arjoun S, Erbaş O. Commonly Used Immunosuppressant Agents in Post-Transplantation: Drug Class, Mechanisms of Action, Adverse Effects, and Toxicities. JEB Med Sci 2025;6(1):8-20.

The authors declared no conflicts of interest with respect to the authorship and/or publication of this article.

The authors received no financial support for the research and/or authorship of this article.