After recurrent hospital admissions due to diarrhea & dehydration, Jackson’s doctors suspect an allergy to the most important medicine in his medical regimen, Tacrolimus. During his most recent hospital stay, lab tests also suggested the medicine was also effecting his kidney function & iron absorption. Although this type of allergy is uncommon, Jackson’s healthcare team decided that changing the immunosuppressant medicine Tacro toSirolimus is the best course of action for his long term care plan. The doctors are confident this will improve his kidney function & ultimately resolve the diarrhea & dehydration. The healthcare team hopes changing some of Jackson’s meds will also help improve iron absorption. Changing these crucial medications in his daily regimen will require frequent trips to the hospital for blood draws to monitor his labs.

Why is an immunosuppressant so important?

The body immediately tries to adjust to the new liver after transplant, but the body recognizes the liver is not its own. The body naturally wants to get rid of, or reject, the new liver. And because rejection is a significant ongoing concern, the doctors prescribe a daily “cocktail” of medications to help prevent rejection & maintain its health. The most crucial part in this regimen is the immunosuppressant medication, Tacrolimus, which  tells the body not to reject the liver. Often the healthcare team must adjust medication therapies to fit each person’s unique & often complicated needs after transplantation