Kidney Rejection and Immunosuppressive Medications
A successfully transplanted kidney works like a normal kidney to filter your blood. You may not need dialysis with a functioning kidney transplant. There are instances where there is delayed kidney function and you may need dialysis for a period of time after your transplant. You will need to take medicines to keep your new kidney healthy.
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Talk with your healthcare team about your medicines and discuss any guidelines you will need to follow to keep your new kidney working right.
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Preventing rejection
The body's immune system attacks germs and prevents infection. As the transplanted kidney is not a natural part of your body, your body's immune system may attack it. This is called rejection. Certain medicines can help keep rejection from happening. You must take these anti-rejection medicines for the rest of your life.
Treating rejection
Organ rejection is detected and confirmed by doing a kidney biopsy. For a kidney biopsy, a small sample of kidney tissue is removed through a needle and examined by a specialist called a pathologist. A biopsy is done under local anesthesia. This means medicines are used to numb the area where the needle will be put into your body. If rejection does happen, treatment may stop it. If it cannot be stopped, your new kidney will no longer work. You will then need dialysis. In time, you may also be able to have a second transplant.
Possible side effects of transplant medicines
Medicines to prevent rejection can have many side effects. The medicines weaken the immune system, so you may get more infections and they may be more serious. Talk with your healthcare provider about these and other possible side effects.
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Possible complications of transplantation
Kidney transplant surgery, like any surgery, can have complications in the period right after the operation. In addition, there is always the risk that the new kidney will be rejected. The anti-rejection medicines have some possible complications that include infections and some types of cancers. Your healthcare provider can talk to you about all of these in more detail.
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Eating and drinking
- If the kidney stays healthy you may not need dialysis.
- This means you will have more choices about what to eat and drink.
- A dietitian can teach you what guidelines you need to follow.
Special Precautions
- Take your medicines as directed. If you do not, your new kidney will stop working and you will need dialysis again.
- Visit your healthcare provider regularly for blood tests. These check how well your kidney and transplant medicines are working.
- Call your healthcare provider right away if you get any kind of infection.