Immunosuppressive agents
Immunosuppressive Agents
Immunosuppressive agents (pronunciation: im·mu·no·sup·pres·sive a·gents) are a class of drugs that are used to inhibit or prevent the activity of the immune system.
Etymology
The term "Immunosuppressive" is derived from the Latin words "immunis" meaning exempt, and "suppressus" meaning to press down. The term "agent" is derived from the Latin word "agens" meaning something that produces an effect or change.
Usage
Immunosuppressive agents are primarily used in the treatment of autoimmune diseases, organ transplantation, and in some cases, cancer. They work by reducing the body's immune response to prevent it from attacking its own cells or rejecting a transplanted organ.
Types of Immunosuppressive Agents
There are several types of immunosuppressive agents, including:
- Corticosteroids: These are often used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus.
- Calcineurin inhibitors: These are used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients.
- Antimetabolites: These are used to treat certain types of cancer and to prevent organ rejection.
- Biologics: These are used to treat autoimmune diseases and to prevent organ rejection.
Side Effects
Like all drugs, immunosuppressive agents can have side effects. These can include infections, cancer, bone marrow suppression, and liver damage.
Related Terms
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Immunosuppressive agents
- Wikipedia's article - Immunosuppressive agents
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