Post-treatment and organ rejection

Different medications may be given, based on the preference of the transplant team, to help prevent rejection of the liver. Among the antirejection/immunosuppressive medications your child may be given are:

• Cyclosporine

• Prednisone

• Tacrolimus

Because these drugs have an effect on the immune system, your child will have a greater risk of acquiring an infection such as herpes,oral yeast infections (thrush), and respiratory viruses.

Your child will need to be monitored to try to be sure that efforts to prevent rejection are not making your child overly vulnerable to infection. Blood tests will help determine how much medication is necessary and whether your child is getting too much or too little.

Medications such as antibiotics and antivirals to prevent infections might also be necessary, especially in the first few months following surgery when higher doses of anti-rejection medicines are needed.