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Transplant services
PrintSelect any question to learn more about transplant services below:
How has transplantation evolved over the years?
What role do medications play?
How can I best organize my treatment regimen?
What are some important factors I should keep in mind?
What should I do if I am traveling?
Where can I find more information?
Healthy Pointers
How has transplantation evolved over the years?
The history of transplanting organs or tissue dates back to 1954, when the first successful kidney transplant was performed. Since then, lungs, livers, hearts, and bone marrow have been transplanted. Living or deceased people may donate organs. There are many types of tissue and organs that can be donated and transplanted today.
What role do medications play?
The medications a patient must take after a transplant are just as important as the organs or tissues that are transplanted. Medications keep the body from rejecting the transplant. The human body has a defense system, called the immune system, that will attack any type of foreign material—such as germs, organs or tissues—that are not our own.
In the 1970s, researchers found that cyclosporine can act to suppress the human immune system. Testing with steroids and cyclosporine showed that organ or tissue rejection could be prevented. Since then, researchers have learned much more about how the body's immune system works to fight infections or foreign materials. Medication treatment after transplant is critical to prevent organ or tissue rejection.
How can I best organize my treatment regimen?
- Keep in writing a list of the names, doses, and how you are instructed to take your medications. Carry a copy of this list with you in case you are ever in an accident and are not able to communicate.
- Keep taking the medication exactly as ordered by your doctors at the same time each day.
- Take time each week to sort and set out your medications for the whole week.
- Use containers to keep medicine organized, such as special pill boxes.
What are some important factors I should keep in mind?
- Learn the signs of infection and report them to your doctor immediately.
- Notify your transplant team if you miss a dose.
- Report any medication side effects to your transplant team.
- Ask your transplant team before taking any new medication (over the counter, natural or herbal).
- Learn how to manage side effects, including knowing when to ask your doctor for help.
What should I do if I am traveling?
- Carry a few days of medication with you. Do not keep the medication in checked luggage, just in case luggage is lost, or you miss a plane or train. Another option is to have your medications shipped to your destination.
- If traveling outside of the United States, carry a note from your doctor about the medication you are carrying.
Where can I find more information?
Learning about your treatment is important, so that you can make it part of your everyday life. To learn more about transplantation, please visit: www.organtransplants.org or www.transplantliving.org.
Healthy Pointers
- Eat well-balanced meals (limit processed or salt containing foods).
- Drink plenty of fluids.
- Your doctor may want you to have a special diet.
- Avoid infection:
- Adopt good hand washing habits.
- Avoid sick individuals.
- Do not share water bottles or glasses.
- Stay active with regular exercise.
- Keep your regular routine of work, school, and hobbies.
- Spend time with your family.
- Talk about your feelings with your transplant team or support groups.
- See your doctor regularly because other health problems may develop.
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Information provided here does not constitute professional medical advice. Although it is intended to be accurate, neither Walgreen Co., its subsidiaries or affiliates, nor any other party assumes liability for loss or damage due to reliance on this material. If you have a medical question, consult your medical professional.