These drugs live up their name: They suppress the immune system. They keep white blood cells from duplicating and attacking the new heart. We may not use all of these drugs, or we may use them together for a limited time.

Immunosuppressive drugs include: • tacrolimus (FK or Prograf®)• mycophenolate mofetil (MMF or CellCept®)• prednisone• sirolimus (Rapamune®)• cyclosporin

Immunosuppression Drugs

Because immunosuppression drugs affect the immune system, you’ll want to keep your child away from crowds for a short period of time after surgery and avoid sick contacts as much as possible. If your heart transplant kiddo develops a fever, chills, or any other signs of illness, contact your medical team right away.

A Tip About Immunosuppression Drugs

These drugs step in to do what the immune system would normally do. Each of the medications in this category prevents 3 different types of infections:

1. Bacterial infections2. Fungal and yeast infections3. Viral infections -  CMV (Cytomagalovirus)

and EBV (Ebstein-Barr virus)

3 -12 months after transplant: the amount of time heart transplant kids stay on these medications, as their bodies adjust to the immunosuppressive drugs; determined, in part, by their pre-transplant exposure.

Infection Prevention Drugs

High blood pressure can be a side effect of some of the drugs we use. So, these medications relax blood vessels and diminish the effects of stress hormones in order to lower blood pressure.

You may be familiar with one type of these drugs, known as ACE inhibitors. Many other drugs—like herbal supplements, vitamins, and over-the-counter meds—interact with ACE inhibitors. It’s important that you talk with your child’s doctor or pharmacist about using them.

Blood Pressure-Lowering Drugs

These drugs thin the blood after transplant. Aspirin, the anticoagulant we typically use, prevents blood clots, reduces inflammation and decreases the risk of the new heart developing coronary artery disease.

Anticoagulation Drugs

After heart transplant surgery, diuretics help the new heart with fluid regulation. They increase urine production, which gets rid of extra water in the body. Additionally, diuretics can combat side effects of some of the other medications our heart kiddos take.

Diuretic Drugs

This group of drugs inhibit the enzyme that produces cholesterol in the liver, so our patients don’t end up with high cholesterol They also lower the risk of transplant coronary artery disease.

Cholesterol-lowering drugs are also known as “statins.”

Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs

Because we use medications after transplant that can cause stomach irritation and heartburn, we then want to reduce those side effects. Medications, like Prevacid® or Prilosec® , can prevent stomach ulcers and ease discomfort from other medications.

GI Protection Drugs

Some of the post-transplant drugs causes mineral levels in the body to decrease. We monitor blood levels carefully so we can detect any changes.

Minerals that can decrease after heart transplant:• magnesium• calcium• potassium

Although supplements may seem like the simplest over-the-counter go-to for concerned parents, you should still talk to your kiddo’s doctor first to make sure that whatever vitamins and minerals you’d like to give your child won’t interfere with her other medications.

Supplements