Solid Organ Transplant

Sandimmune® (cyclosporine capsule)
Gengraf®/Neoral® (cyclosporine modified capsule)
CellCept® (mycophenolate mofetil)
Myfortic® (mycophenolic acid delayed-release)
Rapamune® (sirolimus)
Prograf® (tacrolimus)
Astagraf XL® (tacrolimus extended-release capsule)
Envarsus XR® (tacrolimus extended-release tablet)
Zortress® (everolimus)

FDA Approved Therapies

Sandimmune® (cyclosporine)

Description

Sandimmune® is an immunosuppressant indicated to prevent organ rejection in kidney, liver, and heart transplants. It’s intended to be taken with corticosteroids. It’s available as a capsule and a liquid, and can even be given as an injection for patients who are unable to take the medication by mouth.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on the type of transplant, your weight, and blood tests that your provider will check regularly. Doses may be increased or decreased based on the results of the blood tests. Sandimmune® should be taken the same way each day, either consistently with food or without food.

Side Effects

Mild tremors, nausea, high blood pressure, acne, hair growth, thickening of gums, increased risk of infection, kidney or liver issues, and lymphoma or other cancer.

Gengraf®/Neoral® (cyclosporine modified)

Description

Gengraf® and Neoral® are immunosuppressants indicated to prevent organ rejection in kidney, liver, and heart transplants. Both can be taken with azathioprine and corticosteroids. Both are available as a capsule and a liquid.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on the type of transplant, your weight, and blood tests that your provider will check regularly. Doses may be increased or decreased based on the results of the blood tests. Gengraf® and Neoral® should be taken the same way each day, either consistently with food or without food.

Side Effects

Mild tremors, nausea, high blood pressure, acne, hair growth, thickening of gums, increased risk of infection, kidney or liver issues, and lymphoma or other cancer.

CellCept® (mycophenolate mofetil)

Description

CellCept® is indicated for the prevention of organ rejection in kidney, heart, and liver transplants. It’s intended to be taken with other immunosuppressants. It’s available as a capsule, tablet, and liquid. CellCept® can even be given as an injection for patients who are unable to take the medication by mouth.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on the type of transplant you have received. CellCept® should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Side Effects

Vomiting, diarrhea, swelling, abdominal pain, stomach ulcers or bleeding, high blood pressure, abnormal blood tests, increased risk of infection, lymphoma or other cancer.

Myfortic® (mycophenolic acid delayed-release)

Description

Myfortic® is indicated for the prevention of organ rejection in adult patients who receive a kidney transplant and pediatric patients 5 years and older who are 6 months post-kidney transplant. It’s intended to be taken with other immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. It’s available as a delayed-release tablet.

Dosing

The typical adult dose is 720 mg by mouth twice daily. Myfortic® should be taken on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Side Effects

Stomach upset, nausea, diarrhea, constipation, stomach ulcers or bleeding, urinary tract infection, insomnia, abnormal blood tests, increased risk of infection, lymphoma or other cancer.

Rapamune® (sirolimus)

Description

Rapamune® is an immunosuppressant indicated to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients aged 13 years and older. It is intended to be taken with cyclosporine and corticosteroids. It’s available as a tablet and a liquid.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on your risk of organ rejection, as well as blood tests that your provider will check regularly. Doses may be increased or decreased based on the results of the blood tests. Rapamune® should be taken the same way each day, either consistently with food or without food.

Side Effects

Headache, diarrhea, fatigue, painful joints, high blood pressure, increased risk of infection, lymphoma or other cancer.

Prograf® (tacrolimus)

Description

Prograf® is an immunosuppressant indicated to prevent organ rejection in liver, kidney, and heart transplants. It’s intended to be taken with other immunosuppressants. It’s available as a capsule and can even be given as an injection for patients who are unable to take the medication by mouth.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on the type of transplant, your weight, and blood tests that your provider will check regularly. Doses may be increased or decreased based on the results of the blood tests. Prograf® should be taken the same way each day, either consistently with food or without food.

Side Effects

Increased risk of infection, headache, weakness, diarrhea, constipation, tremors, insomnia, numbness/tingling/swelling of hands and feet, lymphoma or other cancer.

Astagraf XL® (tacrolimus extended-release capsule)

Description

Astagraf XL® is an immunosuppressant indicated to prevent organ rejection after kidney transplants. It’s intended to be taken with other immunosuppressants. It’s available as an extended-release capsule.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on your weight, as well as blood tests that your provider will check regularly. Doses may be increased or decreased based on the results of the blood tests. Astagraf XL® should be taken every morning on an empty stomach, either 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.

Side Effects

Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, swelling, tremors, high blood pressure, new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT), kidney issues, increased risk of infection, lymphoma or other cancer.

Envarsus XR® (tacrolimus extended-release tablet)

Description

Envarsus XR® is an immunosuppressant indicated to prevent organ rejection in kidney transplant patients who have already taken immediate-release tacrolimus. It’s intended to be taken with other immunosuppressants. It’s available as an extended-release tablet.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on your previous tacrolimus dose, as well as blood tests that your provider will check regularly. Doses may be increased or decreased based on the results of the blood tests. Envarsus XR® should be taken once daily on an empty stomach, preferably in the morning.

Side Effects

Diarrhea, high blood pressure, new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT), kidney issues, increased risk of infection, lymphoma or other cancer.

Zortress® (everolimus)

Description

Zortress® is an immunosuppressant indicated to prevent organ rejection in adult patients who received a liver or kidney transplant. It’s intended to be taken with other immunosuppressants and corticosteroids. It’s available as a tablet.

Dosing

Doses will typically be determined based on the type of transplant, as well as blood tests that your provider will check regularly. Doses may be increased or decreased based on the results of the blood tests. Zortress® should be taken the same way each day, either consistently with food or without food.

Side Effects

Swelling, constipation, high blood pressure, nausea, abdominal pain, high cholesterol, new-onset diabetes after transplant (NODAT), male infertility, Increased risk of infection, lymphoma or other cancer.