Pharmacy and Medication Education

After receiving a kidney transplant, it is vital for you to be on a combination of medications to protect your new kidney from rejection. These drugs work by altering your immune system to prevent it from attacking the transplanted kidney. 

Since your immune system is suppressed by the anti-rejection regimen, you will also need to take prophylactic (preventive) antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral drugs to prevent opportunistic infections.

Another group of medications you may need to take are antihypertensive medications to control your blood pressure and minimize damage to your new kidney that may be caused by high blood pressure.

Our team pharmacist will review all of your medications after your surgery.  He or she, in conjunction  with your surgeon and other practitioners on our team will help ensure the safety and efficacy of your post transplant surgery medications by adjusting  the doses or regimens if necessary.

Prior to your discharge from hospital, the transplant team pharmacist will meet with you to review each of the medications that you will need to take after your kidney transplant to make sure that you understand how and when to take your medication, and any lab work that you may need to have while you are on these medications. The transplant pharmacist will also consult with you about possible drug-drug (including herbal and over the counter supplements) and drug-food interactions with your post transplant regimen.

In addition to the drug information that is available to you through this website, you will be able to read and learn more about each of your drugs in the book given to you at the time of your discharge from hospital.